First Flight Wind – which includes B9 Energy, Dong Energy and RES – originally planned a 600MW wind farm off Co. Down, but later scaled this back by at least 200MW and has now ceased work altogether.

A statement said: “The company has made significant progress in establishing the feasibility of the project. However, as a result of delays to the design of the new market and renewable incentive arrangements for Northern Ireland, First Flight Wind has concluded that the project can no longer be built in the timeframes likely to be required under the new market rules.

“As