The BioMara research project, which was originally unveilled last December, was officially launched last Friday (3rd April) by Scotland's Energy Minister, Jim Mather. The project, which will look at the feasbility of using seaweed and algae as a feedstock for biofuels, is being funded by the European Union's INTERREG IVA Programme, with additional funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Crown Estate, Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government.

"The Biomara project is an innovative project at the cutting edge of marine renewable energy technology", said Mather. "This £5 million investment, supported by the European Union, provides for a pioneering, cross border collaboration between Scottish, Irish and Northern Irish partners and represents a major addition to the significant portfolio of renewable and green energy activity already underway in Scotland."

Commenting on the launch Dr Michele Stanley, the project's lead scientist said: "Much research and development is needed to unleash the potential for algal biofuels. As well as seaweeds, we will investigate which strains of microalgae are most suitable for oil production and cultivation on an industrial scale."

She continued: "BioMara will investigate every part of the energy-supply chain, from cultivation of the algae to fuel utilisation in remote communities."

Pat Colgan, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body, which manages the INTERREG IVA Programme said: "With its integrated response to the challenge of reducing CO2 emissions by developing alternative sources of energy based on marine biomass, BioMara provides an excellent example of co-operation for a sustainable cross-border region."

Partners come from the University of Strathclyde; Queen's University, Belfast; the University of Ulster; the Dundalk Institute of Technology; and the Institute of Technology, Sligo.