A team of marine science experts from Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland have received funding worth almost €6m from the EU to pioneer innovative research into marine renewable energy.

The Institutes of Technology in Dundalk and Sligo will work with Queens University Belfast, the University of Ulster and the Scottish Association for Marine Sciences, which is leading development work on the BioMara project.

The BioMara tri-partite (Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland) research project aims to demonstrate the feasibility and viability of locally producing mari-fuels from marine biomass derived from seaweed and plant sources (algae) as an alternative to agri-fuel production from land based plants.

It will harness the expertise and resources of the three countries.

Irish Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said: "The Irish Government is committed to the research into and development of renewable energy sources and has provided significant funding for this purpose.

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"I believe that the premise of the project is both exciting and potentially very significant - that marine algae can be harvested, processed and then utilised as a green energy source. There is huge potential for this, provided it can be proven as viable.

"This is one of the best projects ever brought before, and approved by, the Energy Theme of INTERREG. I commend the wisdom of the collaborating teams in bringing forward this complex project in a manner which will utilise the individual strengths of the teams while providing a synergy that no one partner or jurisdiction could have managed alone.

"In particular, I commend the Scottish partners in leading in this, their first year in this particular INTERREG Programme."

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said: "By identifying the potential for a new industry, this regional project could bring long term economic and social benefits to the cross border area, including the prospect of hundreds of valuable jobs in remote coastal areas and islands.

"The development of mari-fuels could have a lasting impact on remote and rural communities by providing locally produced relatively cheap, low impact fuel as well as serving the local public transport infrastructure."

Northern Ireland's Energy Minister Arlene Foster said: "The work will significantly increase our knowledge in a key growth area for renewable energy.

"It has great potential for cleaner energy sources from abundant marine plant life to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and open up economic opportunities for Northern Ireland," added Ms Foster.

Work will get underway on the research study early next year.

(PR/JM)