ISLES project
Encyclopedia
The ISLES is a project to facilitate the development of offshore renewable energy sources, such as wind
, wave
and tidal
energy, and renewable energy trade between Scotland
, Ireland
and Northern Ireland
. It assesses the feasibility and develops a conception of creating an integrated offshore transmission network connecting the renewable energy projects' sites located off the west coast of Scotland, north and east coasts of Northern Ireland, west coast of the Republic of Ireland and in the Irish Sea
with onshore grids. It is a joint project between the governments of Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, which is partly funded by the European Union
's INTERREG
IVA Programme. The funding from INTEREG is about €2 million.
The ISLES project was announced at the meeting of Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism of Scotland Jim Mather
and Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources of Ireland Eamon Ryan
in Glasgow
on 7 June 2008.
The project is managed under the Special EU Programmes Body. The contract to undertake the feasibility study was awarded to a consortium led by RPS Group
and its final reports were delivered to the inter-governmental steering group in late-2011. The outcomes of the ISLES Feasibility Study will be made public on 23 November 2011 in Glasgow at the ISLES Conference.
Wind power
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, windmills for mechanical power, windpumps for water pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships....
, wave
Wave power
Wave power is the transport of energy by ocean surface waves, and the capture of that energy to do useful work — for example, electricity generation, water desalination, or the pumping of water...
and tidal
Tidal power
Tidal power, also called tidal energy, is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into useful forms of power - mainly electricity....
energy, and renewable energy trade between Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It assesses the feasibility and develops a conception of creating an integrated offshore transmission network connecting the renewable energy projects' sites located off the west coast of Scotland, north and east coasts of Northern Ireland, west coast of the Republic of Ireland and in the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
with onshore grids. It is a joint project between the governments of Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, which is partly funded by the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
's INTERREG
Interreg
Interreg is an initiative that aims to stimulate cooperation between regions in the European Union. It started in 1989, and is financed under the European Regional Development Fund...
IVA Programme. The funding from INTEREG is about €2 million.
The ISLES project was announced at the meeting of Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism of Scotland Jim Mather
Jim Mather
Jim Mather is a Scottish National Party politician, former Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism and until the 2011 election, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Argyll and Bute ....
and Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources of Ireland Eamon Ryan
Eamon Ryan
Eamon Ryan is an Irish politician and leader of the Irish Green Party. He was a Teachta Dála for the Dublin South constituency from 2002 to 2011, and served as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 2007 to 2011....
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
on 7 June 2008.
The project is managed under the Special EU Programmes Body. The contract to undertake the feasibility study was awarded to a consortium led by RPS Group
RPS Group
RPS Group plc is a major UK-based environmental and planning consultancy. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...
and its final reports were delivered to the inter-governmental steering group in late-2011. The outcomes of the ISLES Feasibility Study will be made public on 23 November 2011 in Glasgow at the ISLES Conference.