Belfast Harbour has sealed a landmark £100 million deal that will transform its offshore wind terminal into a major assembly and construction hub for two massive offshore wind farms in the Irish Sea.

The agreement with joint venture partners JERA Nex bp and EnBW means the Harbour will manage the assembly of the planned Mona and Morgan wind farms. The projects are significant in scale, planned to deliver enough clean energy to power the equivalent of around 3 million UK homes every year.

The deal has enabled Belfast Harbour to commit £90 million to build a new deepwater berth, which will support future cruise tourism and offshore wind projects. The construction and assembly phase is expected to generate over 300 jobs and drive regional economic growth across Northern Ireland.

Secretary of State Hilary Benn visited the Harbour to view the site, meeting with project representatives and taking a boat tour of the development work. Following his visit, the Secretary of State said: "This commitment of over £100 million to Belfast Harbour is fantastic news for Northern Ireland and the wider UK, generating jobs and economic growth while supporting the development of affordable clean energy ... it's clear that this deal will secure Northern Ireland’s key role in the UK’s clean energy future."

Dr Theresa Donaldson, Chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, highlighted the strategic advantage: "Belfast is the only port on the island of Ireland with offshore wind capabilities and we are delighted to work with the Mona and Morgan projects.

"As offshore wind technology evolves, ports will play an increasingly central role and Belfast Harbour is uniquely placed thanks to the combination of our existing facility, our expertise, local supply chain and location to be a key enabler of the power stations of the future in the Irish, Celtic and North Seas."

The facilities at Belfast Harbour are currently undergoing preparation and are expected to be ready for use from 2028.