Mainstream gets EUR 1.4m in EU funds for seabed survey

Dec 20, 2013 - Irish firm Mainstream Renewable Power received EUR-1.4 million (USD 1.9m) in European Union (EU) funds to cover 50% of the costs for a survey of the Irish Sea seabed that aims to find the most suitable route for an Ireland-UK power cable.

The link, with project name Energy Bridge, will bring power from Irish wind parks to the UK.

The study is to be conducted in 2014 and 2015 and is in line with Mainstream’s strategy to export 1,200 MW of power generation from 2018. The firm has already obtained a grid connection permit with grid operator National Grid Plc (LON:NG) and will now conduct an environmental impact assessment on the scheme.

Mainstream Renewable plans to file a planning application for the Energy Bridge project in 2015.

Including the power link, the European Commission (EC) has given the status "project of common interest" (PCI) to 248 energy infrastructure projects. In order to get the status, schemes needs to bring benefits to at least two member states. They also need to contribute to market integration, boost security of energy supply and cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.364)

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