Government spends more than £200,000 on Orsted legal advice

Chief minister provides breakdown of government spending on windfarm project

More than £200,000 has been spent on legal advice relating to the Mooir Vannin offshore windfarm since October 2023.

The chief minister has provided a breakdown of spending relating to the Orsted project after recently revealing it's cost government almost half a million pounds.

In November, Alfred Cannan told the House of Keys just under £470,000 had been used on external consultants and staffing relating to the proposals.

In his role as chair of the Energy Policy Board, he's now provided more details about the spending, which includes £216,283 on specialist legal advisors for gap analysis and legal advice.

An additional £94,000 has been spent on consultants to advise the department, and almost £100,000 on a Business Change Services Project Manager.

Meanwhile, Orsted has announced it will be sending a postcard to all households on the Island next week with an update on the proposals following last summer's community consultation.

Costs from April 2023 - November 2024:

• Business Change Services Project Manager - £99,257.35
• Business Change Services Business Analyst - £8,621.59
• Head of Energy Policy - £19,517.66
• DEFA Case Manager for Regulations and Environmental - £25,822.34
• DEFA Case Assistant - £11.168
• CMS Specialist Legal Advisors for Gap Analysis and legal advice - £216,238
• Hatch Consultants advising Department re Orsted Proposals - £94,247