Skip to content

Green light for 1,200 solar panels at sports centre

Josh CannIsle of Man
News imageDave Kneale A large, curved glass-fronted building with a covered entrance to the left and the letters 'NSC' on the left-hand wall approaching the entrance. Stairs lead up to the entrance with shrubbery to the right and left.Dave Kneale
The National Sports Centre sits next to Pulrose power station, which produces 90% of the island's electricity.

Manx Utilities has been granted planning approval to for 1,200 rooftop solar panels to be installed at the National Sports Centre (NSC) in Douglas.

The solar panel project has described as a "key milestone" in the authority's wider Energy Transition Programme.

The scheme will make use of existing roof space at the NSC to generate 735 kW of renewable electricity.

Manx Utilities hopes the initiative will offer experience to support the delivery of larger-scale rooftop solar projects elsewhere on the Island, as well as their ongoing management.

What is the 'Energy Transition Programme?'

The programme was set up after Tynwald voted, in October 2022, to support the Climate Action Plan 2022-2027, which commits Manx Utilities to decarbonising the Island's power system by 2030.

Proposals include commissioning up to 10MW of solar panels across public buildings and car parks, and the deployment of at least 20MW of onshore wind generation by the end of 2026.

However, the wind generation proposals remain in the pre-application phase at this stage.

Delays

The installation of solar panels at the National Sports Centre was one of the initiatives championed by the late John Wannenburgh MHK, who had orginally hoped that panels would be fitted by November 2025.

It is part of Manx Utilities' long-term vision to strengthen the Island's energy independence.

Manx Utilities said it would now move forward with the next stage of development, including detailed designs, procurement, a final investment decision and delivery planning, subject to the necessary governance and approval processes.

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.