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Call for undersea Scots-Irish energy grid | Call for undersea Scots-Irish energy grid |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Building an undersea electricity grid connecting Scotland and Ireland within the next 10 years could provide a major economic boost, a new report has said. | Building an undersea electricity grid connecting Scotland and Ireland within the next 10 years could provide a major economic boost, a new report has said. |
The project could secure jobs and green energy, said the EU-funded Irish-Scottish Links on Energy (Isles) study. | |
But the report also warned there were tough challenges in getting the £5.6bn development up-and-running. | |
Scottish, Irish and Northern Ireland ministers have agreed to press Westminster and Brussels on the issue. | Scottish, Irish and Northern Ireland ministers have agreed to press Westminster and Brussels on the issue. |
Details of the study, announced during a Scots-Irish ministerial meeting, in Glasgow, concluded the project was "economically viable", with no technical barriers to its development. | |
But it also pointed to the "complex and evolving" nature of three different sets of planning and licensing laws, and on environmental issues, added: "The landfall points along the costal areas of all three jurisdictions have significant constraints due to flora and fauna protected sites." | |
SNP Finance Secretary John Swinney, said of the two-year study: "These islands have some of the most abundant and powerful offshore renewable energy sources in Europe. | |
"Indeed, Scotland has around a quarter of the continent's wind and tidal resource and as much as a tenth of its potential wave power. | "Indeed, Scotland has around a quarter of the continent's wind and tidal resource and as much as a tenth of its potential wave power. |
"This project paves the way to allow us to harvest that potential, further develop our export capability and bring in revenues to Scotland." | "This project paves the way to allow us to harvest that potential, further develop our export capability and bring in revenues to Scotland." |
Irish Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte, added: "By co-operating with our neighbouring administrations, we can work together to create a viable market for these resources initially across our own islands but in time to continental Europe. | Irish Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte, added: "By co-operating with our neighbouring administrations, we can work together to create a viable market for these resources initially across our own islands but in time to continental Europe. |
"The study shows that we have the potential to reduce infrastructure costs by working together in the long term to develop a planned network design." | "The study shows that we have the potential to reduce infrastructure costs by working together in the long term to develop a planned network design." |
Arlene Foster, energy minister for Northern Ireland, said the study presented a "realistic picture of an energy future where the regional wind, wave and tidal energy resources located far off our coasts are harnessed and used for our mutual good". | Arlene Foster, energy minister for Northern Ireland, said the study presented a "realistic picture of an energy future where the regional wind, wave and tidal energy resources located far off our coasts are harnessed and used for our mutual good". |
But she warned: "This will not happen quickly or easily." | But she warned: "This will not happen quickly or easily." |
European Union energy targets have committed all 27 member states to source 20% of their energy needs from renewable energy by the 2020. | European Union energy targets have committed all 27 member states to source 20% of their energy needs from renewable energy by the 2020. |
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