The Irish government is joining forces with the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Executive, for a €2 million feasibility study into off-shore renewables and grid potential.

The study is to explore the potential for the transmission of electricity generated by offshore renewables off the west coast of Scotland, the north and east coasts of Northern Ireland, the Irish Sea and the west coast of the Republic of Ireland.

Irish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Eamon Ryan was in Glasgow to discuss the two countries' mutual energy interests.

Minister Ryan said: "Ireland, like Scotland and indeed Northern Ireland, has ambitious renewables targets to meet and I believe that our Governments can work together to achieve these."

"Our shared location, on the periphery of Europe and close to both the Atlantic and North Sea, gives us a distinct advantage. We have a vast wealth of free natural resources that we can harness to provide ourselves with a clean and sustainable source of energy."

"It is imperative that we develop an effective grid system that will allow us to work in partnership and I am delighted to be here today, to discuss the numerous opportunities that await. I look forward to working with Mr Mather in the future to achieve them," added Mr Ryan

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Northern Ireland's Energy Minister, Arlene Foster welcomed the ongoing cooperation with Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

Ms Foster said: "Northern Ireland and the government in the Republic of Ireland have already demonstrated the mutual benefits that can come from working on projects that enhance regional cooperation and economic growth."

"The creation of the Single Electricity Market within the two jurisdictions is a good example of practical cooperation delivering results."

"We must now plan for the future if we are to ensure sustainable electricity supplies at a time of increasing world energy pressures. This project is a significant milestone in utilising our local resources and will help us, in conjunction with our neighbours, map out the future of offshore renewable energy to benefit the whole of Northern Ireland."

The ISLES (Irish-Scottish Links on Energy Study) project is to be launched later this year.

In 2007, the Scottish Government, Northern Ireland Executive and Government of Ireland commissioned a pre-scoping grid study supported by Interreg funding.

The aim of this was to identify the requirements of a full feasibility study for capitalising on offshore renewables potential between the west coast of Scotland and Ireland.

In June 2008, the partnership successfully applied for Interreg funding towards the cost of a fully feasibility study.

The study is estimated to cost £1.6 million and will explore technological, economic, construction and regulatory factors associated with the development of such an offshore transmission network.

The ISLES project will contribute to the evidence base on offshore grid potential and complement other work, such as Airtricity's proposals for a European super grid.

(PR/JM)