Press release: BioMara global launch

Energy Minister launches €6 million sustainable biofuels project

Friday, 3rd April 2009

The €6 million BioMara research project –investigating the feasibility of using algae to produce biofuel – is launched today by Scotland’s Energy Minister, Jim Mather. With the European Parliament calling for 10% of road transport fuel to come from renewable sources by 2020, sustainable, industrial-scale biofuel production has become an urgent challenge.

BioMara has received €4,874,414 from 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 project’s lead scientist, Dr Michele Stanley, explains: “With global fossil fuel supplies dwindling and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels affecting climate change, there is an urgent need for new, renewable fuel sources with low net carbon emissions.

“Conventional biofuel crops compete for land and fresh water with farming and nature. What we need is fast-growing, easily utilised plants which thrive in environments not used for agriculture or conservation.

“Marine algae could be part of the solution. Seaweeds grow rapidly, harness carbon dioxide and have simple structures which make them easily converted to fuel.”

Dr Stanley continues:
"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 goes on: “BioMara will investigate every part of the energy-supply chain, from cultivation of the algae to fuel utilisation in remote communities.”

Much of BioMara’s focus will be on supporting biofuel production and utilisation in remote, rural communities.

Laila Sadler, spokesperson for BioMara said: “Effectively, seaweed harvested off a beach in the Outer Isles could be heating a crofter’s kettle for their cup of tea the next morning.”
Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism said:  “The Biomara project is an innovative project at the cutting edge of marine renewable energy technology. 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. 
“Scotland has a fantastic competitive advantage in developing offshore renewables - with a quarter of the Europe's tidal and offshore wind energy resource, and a world class scientific capacity and skills base and the current financial downturn illustrates the importance of capitalising on these unique assets.  The potential for green energy is limitless – the sector is forecast to create some 16,000 jobs over the next decade.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to visit Biomara and launch this exciting project. It is a further boost to Argyll and the West Coast following last week’s announcement that Skykon are to take over the Vestas wind turbine manufacturing plant in Campbeltown, supporting over 450 jobs in the long term, and will motivate even more young local people to be part of these new developments.”
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.”

Research partners come from the Scottish Association for Marine Science, the University of Strathclyde, Queen's University, Belfast, the University of Ulster, the Dundalk Institute of Technology, and the Institute of Technology, Sligo.



NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Scottish Association for Marine Science is a leading independent marine research institute, based on the coast in western Scotland. It is carrying out key research on climate change, biodiversity, renewable energy, marine management and governance, and marine resources. It also is involved in developing innovative technology solutions to ocean observation, exploitation and conservation.

2. Further information on BioMara at: www.biomara.org

3. Scientific partners from Scottish and Irish research institutes are available for interview today at SAMS in Oban. Phone: 01631 559000. Contact: Laila Sadler
Images available.

4.  The INTERREG IVA Programme is Cross-Border Territorial Co-operation Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland, 2007-2013. It is a European Union supported Structural Funds Programme which seeks to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders. 

The INTERREG IVA Programme assists two categories of projects: (i) North/South Ireland projects, and; (ii) Tripartite projects that involve Ireland, North and South, and Western Scotland.  Every project will have an Ireland, North and South, element.

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) based in Belfast is the Managing Authority for the INTERREG IVA Programme which is worth €256 million. 

The aim of the INTERREG IVA Programme is:
•    To strengthen and deepen cross-border cooperation by supporting strategic plans and projects which maximise the impact of the funds
•    To support strategic cross-border cooperation for a more prosperous region
•    To improve access to services to enhance the quality of life for those living in the eligible area.

The programme is delivered through two priorities.

Priority 1: Co-operation for a more prosperous cross-border region:
•    to diversify and develop the economy by encouraging innovation and competitiveness in enterprise and business development and promoting tourism;

Priority 2: Co-operation for a sustainable cross-border region:
•    to support activities that promote cross-border cooperation in policy development and improve access to services to improve the quality of life for those living in the eligible area.