A leading archaeology company has won a contract to provide consultancy services for an underwater electric power cable linking Ireland with the UK.

Headland Archaeology (UK and Ireland) has been awarded the £50,000 contract and will provide transboundary marine archaeology consultancy services for the project.

The large scale energy project is being developed by EirGrid Plc, the commercially run semi state company which manages and operates the Irish electricity transmission system It will be the first electricity link between Ireland and Wales, creating a two-way power transmission between the nations by the end of 2012.

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According to the company, the scheme will supply enough energy to power 300,000 homes.

The EirGrid East West Interconnector will improve the security of energy supplies, promote competition in the electricity sector and encourage the growth of renewable energy.

Dr Dan Atkinson, Headland Archaeology’s Maritime Manager, who will manage the project said: "This joint project between our UK and Irish subsidiaries is a major coup for the company and will enable EirGrid to benefit from the specialist marine archaeology expertise held by the teams located in both countries. It also highlights the capacity of our business to undertake large transboundary infrastructure projects.

"This is a growing sector for us and the first of its kind for Headland. However, with European developments in the renewable and energy sector steadily on the increase, this type of project will become more frequent as the requirement for improved transboundary grid connections emerge."

Headland Archaeology was formed in 1996 and has offices in Cork and Galway.

(NS/GK)