A research project to demonstrate the feasibility and viability of locally producing mari-fuels from marine biomass derived from seaweed and plant sources (algae) has been awarded £5 million in funding it was announced this week. The project, designated the BioMara tri-partite, will see the Scottish Association for Marine Sciences in Oban leading development work on the cross-border project, in partnership with Queens University Belfast and the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, and the Institutes of Technology in Dundalk and Sligo in Ireland.

Speaking after a meeting with Danuta Hübner, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy in Edinburgh, Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond  said: "The £5 million investment is a welcome boost to what is proving to be one of our most resilient and promising sectors in these challenging economic times.

"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."

Announcing Northern Ireland's support for this major tripartite study, Energy Minister Arlene Foster said: "This research is at the cutting edge of marine renewable energy technology and will put the region and our universities at the forefront of world wide marine bio-energy research. 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. I am very pleased that Northern Ireland is working closely with Scotland, the Irish Republic and the European Union to fund and support this important research."

Commenting on the Irish Government's support for the BioMara study, 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. The premise of this BioMara 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."

Work will get underway on the research study in early 2009.