Belfast Harbour secures £100M boost to power UK offshore wind expansion

Belfast Harbour is set to become a cornerstone of the UK and Ireland’s offshore wind industry after EnBW, JERA Nex, and bp confirmed an investment worth over £100 million. The funding secures the lease of the port’s D1 terminal for turbine assembly and marshalling, a critical step toward the development of the Mona and Morgan offshore wind farms in the Irish Sea.

The investment will fund major port upgrades and create around 300 jobs, positioning Belfast Harbour as the island’s only port capable of handling offshore wind operations. The terminal is expected to be fully operational by 2028, supporting up to 3GW of clean energy generation, enough to power three million homes.

Backed by the UK government and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the project strengthens the national offshore wind supply chain while advancing energy security and net-zero goals. Initial works include a deepwater berth for heavy-lift vessels, followed by reinforced quays, load-out facilities, and shore power connections to cut dockside emissions.

Belfast Harbour will reinvest profits into expansion and sustainability, including a £90 million programme for the nearby D3 terminal to support both cruise and wind logistics. Harbour leadership hailed the partnership as a “transformative step” for Northern Ireland’s maritime economy, citing its potential to attract more renewable energy investment and strengthen regional supply chains.

As global developers increasingly look to Belfast for offshore wind operations, the port is on track to become a vital logistics hub linking clean energy growth with industrial innovation and employment opportunities across the UK.

Explore how Belfast Harbour is shaping the future of offshore wind and regional growth in the full article.