Plans for a major offshore wind hub at Belfast Harbour are progressing following a commitment of over £100 million from the developers of the Mona and Morgan wind farms in the Irish Sea. The joint venture partners — EnBW and JERA Nex bp — have leased the port’s D1 terminal, which will be used for the assembly and marshalling of turbine components for the two large-scale projects.
Once operational, the Mona and Morgan wind farms could deliver up to 3 GW of clean, low-carbon electricity — enough to power approximately 3 million UK households. The developments represent a major step in the UK’s transition toward net-zero emissions and sustainable energy independence.
Enabling works are now underway at Belfast Harbour to prepare the site for use by 2028, with around 300 jobs expected to be created through the deal. The collaboration aims to strengthen the local supply chain, stimulate regional economic growth, and attract further external investment into Northern Ireland.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the announcement, highlighting it as a key example of the UK’s clean energy agenda ahead of COP30. He stated that the initiative will enhance energy security, lower costs for consumers, and support skilled employment across the country, describing it as “national renewal in action.”
Nathalie Oosterlinck, CEO of JERA Nex bp, said the commitment demonstrates the importance of collaboration in achieving energy transition goals. “The Mona and Morgan joint venture’s planned investment of over £100 million to Belfast Harbour is a direct contribution to the infrastructure needed to drive the energy transition,” she said. “This shows how strategic investment in renewable energy supports both environmental progress and local economic growth.”
Dr Theresa Donaldson, Chair of Belfast Harbour, noted that the port is the only facility on the island of Ireland equipped for offshore wind operations. She emphasized that this partnership will position Belfast and its supply chain as central to deploying high-capacity wind farms across the Irish, Celtic, and North Seas.
As a Trust Port, Belfast Harbour reinvests all profits into the port estate. This agreement allows a £90 million investment in construction at the D3 terminal, creating a dual-purpose cruise and offshore wind facility. Stage 1, involving a new deepwater berth, is already under construction, while Stage 2 will reinforce the terminal to handle next-generation turbines — with components weighing over 1,000 tonnes — and introduce shore-power capabilities for vessels to operate on clean energy while docked.
