The Crown Estate has launched an accelerated competitive tender to appoint a new developer for the Morgan offshore wind project, an up to 1.5 GW development in the Irish Sea that returned to the market after its previous developer decided to discontinue the project earlier this year.

The tender seeks a company to develop, build and operate the offshore wind farm, with development rights expected to be awarded by the end of 2026. According to The Crown Estate, the streamlined process is designed to maintain momentum on one of the UK's most advanced offshore wind opportunities and avoid delays in bringing new renewable capacity online.

Once operational, the Morgan wind farm is expected to generate enough electricity to supply up to 1.5 million homes, contributing to the UK's energy security objectives and supporting economic growth.

The project has already reached several key development milestones. The offshore wind farm received its Development Consent Order (DCO) in August 2025, while a decision on the consent application for its transmission assets—submitted jointly with the 480 MW Morecambe offshore wind project—is expected in September. Morgan also benefits from an existing grid connection agreement with the National Energy System Operator (NESO).

The Crown Estate said it is working with relevant stakeholders to preserve as much of the project's existing development work as possible, allowing the future developer to build on the progress already achieved and accelerate delivery.

To support investment, the organisation has introduced a simplified tender structure featuring a transparent rising-clock auction. Developers will bid through a Site Exclusivity Fee, which will only become payable once the project enters the lease stage and will be spread over a 20-year period. The new payment structure is intended to reduce financial pressure during the early development phase, when developers typically face significant upfront costs.

Gus Jaspert, Managing Director, Marine at The Crown Estate, said: “Morgan is a strategically important offshore wind project that has already achieved significant development milestones. Our priority has been to move quickly and maintain the momentum already built behind the project.

“By launching an accelerated tender process, we’re offering developers the potential opportunity to take forward a project with substantial consenting and grid progress already in place. That helps keep valuable renewable energy capacity on track while supporting energy security, investment, jobs and growth across the UK’s offshore wind supply chain," Jaspert said.

Bidders are expected to submit their applications during the summer, with the auction and the selection of the preferred developer scheduled for the end of the year.

The Morgan tender runs independently from Offshore Wind Leasing Round 6, through which The Crown Estate plans to lease around 6 GW of offshore wind capacity off the northeast coast of England, with the new leasing round expected to begin in the first half of 2027.