The UK Ministry of Defence has objected to Orsted’s 1400MW Mooir Vannin wind farm off the Isle of Man.
Officials said the 87-turbine scheme could have a significant impact on radar equipment at British Aerospace’s Warton airfield in Lancashire.
The Isle of Man government said a total of 477 responses had been received during a public consultation on the marine infrastructure consent application that was submitted by Orsted this summer.
The Council of Ministers has now referred the application to an independent panel of experts who will advise after a 130-day examination period on whether the application should be granted.
A separate consent application for the project’s transmission infrastructure is expected to be submitted to UK authorities in 2027.
A spokesperson for Orsted told reNEWS: “A Ministry of Defence representation at this stage is a normal, technical part of the process. Potential radar impacts are routinely identified so that mitigation can be properly assessed, and the offshore wind sector has a range of proven solutions that protect both defence capability and renewable energy delivery.
“Many offshore projects have resolved similar issues, including our own in the Irish Sea, and we’re confident that the right technical solutions can be agreed for Mooir Vannin.
“The Examination phase is specifically designed to test evidence, address stakeholder input and secure any necessary mitigations or conditions before a final decision is made.”