Belfast Harbour Secured as £100 Million Hub for Major Offshore Wind Projects

Belfast Harbour is set to become the primary assembly and construction hub for two of the UK’s largest planned offshore wind farms following a landmark £100 million agreement. The deal, confirmed during a site visit by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, secures the port’s role in the development of the Mona and Morgan wind farms in the Irish Sea.

The joint venture partners developing the projects, JERA Nex bp and EnBW, have leased Belfast Harbour’s offshore wind terminal, establishing a critical piece of infrastructure for the UK’s renewable energy strategy. The development is expected to create over 300 jobs and drive significant regional economic growth. Once operational, the Mona and Morgan wind farms will have a combined capacity to supply clean energy equivalent to the needs of approximately 3 million UK homes, contributing substantially to national energy security and net-zero targets.

For the construction and engineering sectors, this agreement presents a multi-faceted pipeline of opportunities. The commitment has enabled Belfast Harbour to proceed with a £90 million investment in its own facilities, including the construction of a new deepwater berth. This port enhancement project will not only service the immediate needs of the wind farm assembly, scheduled to begin in 2028, but is also designed to support future cruise tourism and further offshore energy projects.

The establishment of the hub itself will require specialised logistics, engineering, and a skilled workforce to manage the assembly of large-scale wind turbine components. This long-term operational requirement offers substantial prospects for the local and national supply chain, from heavy lift and transport specialists to M&E contractors and component suppliers.

During his visit, the Secretary of State emphasised the strategic importance of the investment, framing it within the UK government’s industrial strategy to foster industries of the future. The development positions Northern Ireland as a key enabler for renewable energy generation in the Irish, Celtic, and North Seas. The scale of the Mona and Morgan projects, coupled with the strategic upgrade of port infrastructure, signals a sustained period of activity and creates a clear pathway for businesses seeking to expand their involvement in the UK’s offshore wind sector.

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