Scotland will be at the heart of new plans agreed today to deliver a North Sea offshore grid that interconnects European electricity networks.
Ten countries have committed to work together to identify and overcome the regulatory, legal, market, planning and technical issues involved in creating a North Sea grid.
An offshore grid will allow Scotland to export its vast renewable electricity surplus to the UK and Europe, help cut emissions and ensure the future security of European energy supplies.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by 10 North Sea countries. It recognises Scotland's work on offshore grids and includes a specific commitment to take account of the award-winning ISLES project (Irish Scottish Links on Energy Study), which is currently assessing the opportunities of connecting Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in an Irish Sea and Atlantic coast grid.
Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "Scotland is playing a key role in the development and deployment of an interconnected offshore grid in the North Sea, recently highlighted as a European Union priority project. A North Sea grid will plug Scotland in to export even greater amounts of the clean, green energy which Scotland's natural resources can produce in abundance.
"The Scottish Government is already part of a working group on North Sea grid connections and today's Memorandum notes the substantial co-operation and practical support of governments across Europe to build a North Sea grid. Scotland will play a full and active part in the development of this crucial piece of infrastructure that will further help us transform to a low carbon economy.
"I am pleased our leadership has been recognised through the commitment in the Memorandum to recognise our valuable work on the ISLES Project, which is already helping us to understand the specific and varied obstacles in developing sub sea grids. Our Good Practice in Wind project, which is working with partners from across Europe to enhance wind energy planning, will also play an important role. We will also continue to work with the European Union and the UK Government to solve some of the wider barriers to offshore renewables development and deployment."
(GK/KMcA)
Construction News
03/12/2010
North Sea Grid Progress

15/04/2025
Construction of a £70 million student accommodation development at 292-298 St Vincent Street in Glasgow has reached a significant milestone, with the building now visibly rising from the ground.
Drone footage has captured the progress of the project, which is a partnership between developer Artisa

15/04/2025
Energy regulator Ofgem is expected to confirm today (April 15) its finalised Connections Reform process, designed to expedite grid connections for renewable energy projects that are ready and crucial for achieving the UK's clean power targets for 2030 and beyond.
The new connections system, anticip

15/04/2025
The ambitious transformation of Glasgow’s landmark George Square has moved into a tangible phase with the commencement of the erection of hoardings around the perimeter of the civic space. Starting today, the hoardings will enclose the Square for the duration of its 18-month redevelopment.
The pane

15/04/2025
Members of the public are invited to attend a consultation feedback event to discuss the proposed infrastructure associated with a new underground electricity transmission cable between the Kinardochy and Errochty substations in Perthshire.
The event will take place on Monday, 28 April, from 4 pm t

15/04/2025
Turner & Townsend have been appointed as project managers to develop a business case for the potential extension of the Borders Railway beyond its current terminus at Tweedbank to Hawick and Carlisle.
This key appointment will enable crucial work to progress on the project, including feasibility s

15/04/2025
Arran Community Renewables, a Community Benefit Society based on the Isle of Arran, has secured planning consent for a 6 MW solar farm. The Glenkiln Solar Farm, located approximately 1km west of Lamlash, is projected to generate 5,600MWh of clean renewable energy annually from 2027.
The £5 million

15/04/2025
A new Route Map has been published by the Scottish Land Commission (SLC) to ensure communities across Scotland secure tangible and long-lasting benefits from nature restoration projects and investment in the country's natural environment.
The practical guide is designed for landowners, developers,

15/04/2025
Award-winning principal contractor Procast Group has further expanded its presence across Scotland with the opening of a new base in Dumfries. The Hamilton-based firm has invested £30,000 in a new warehouse and office facility in the Maxwelltown Industrial Estate in Dumfries and Galloway, marking it

14/04/2025
Glasgow City Council's Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) facilitated the completion of over 1,000 new affordable homes in the city during the past year, despite facing budgetary reductions at the start of the financial year.
The initial grant of £78.687 million from the Scottish Government

14/04/2025
A key phase of Scottish Water's £11.5 million project to upgrade a strategic rising sewer main connecting Renfrew and Glasgow is set to begin, resulting in a significant road closure.
From Monday, 28 April 2025, Ferry Road in Renfrew will be closed to all vehicular traffic for a period of four mont