Efforts to build an offshore electricity transmission network linking Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland have taken a step forward.

RPS Group have been awarded a contract to examine the feasibility of the construction of an offshore grid in the Irish Sea.

The study, on behalf of the Scottish Government, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Northern Ireland and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in Ireland, will look at potential sites for renewable energy generation in coastal waters.

Part-funded by the European Union's INTERREG IVA Programme, it will also examine technology, infrastructure, finance, environment and planning issues and develop a business case for the construction of a grid.

Scottish Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "The ISLES study will allow us to explore issues around an offshore transmission network in the Irish Sea and help make the case for commercial investment. It will also be the first building block towards making an offshore grid a reality.

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"It will complement the work of the Electricity Networks Strategy Group and will help inform work to achieve the European vision of an offshore supergrid, the declaration of which, North Seas Countries Offshore Grid Initiative, was signed in December by the UK, Ireland, the Benelux countries, Sweden, Denmark, France and Germany."

Mr Mather described the co-operation with Ireland and Northern Ireland as "another step" in the approach to strategic energy issues.

He continued: "Indeed our close working relationship with the Government of Ireland and the Northern Irish Assembly is also being further deepened through the grid work stream of the British Irish Council and we are developing joint working in a number of other areas."

Northern Ireland's Energy Minister, Arlene Foster MLA said: "The appointment of RPS to undertake this innovative feasibility study demonstrates the commitment that Northern Ireland attaches to working at home and with its neighbours to fully develop the potential for renewable energy in and around our shores.

"This project will inform the partners' decisions as well as those of the wider energy sector on the costs and benefits of future investment in offshore renewables infrastructure. This study will make an important contribution to the European Union's proposal for a European Super Grid for electricity to enhance security of supply."

Ireland's Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan welcomed the commencement of this study which will help pave the way for the development of our very significant offshore natural resources.

"Ireland has a sea area that is around 10 times the size of its land area. Our countries location at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean ensures we share some of the best wind and wave resources in Europe.

"By working in partnership with each other, we can utilise these resources to generate carbon free renewable electricity to meet our future energy requirements," he said.

(GK/BMcC)