The Greenlink interconnector that will link electricity supplies between the UK and Ireland, has been awarded £3.6m.
The 500MW interconnector, which is being developed by Element Power, was selected for a grant in the field of trans-European energy infrastructure under the Connecting Europe Facility and the won the award in a second funding round.
Greenlink project director Simon Ludlam said: “Our success once again in attracting EU funding reflects the importance of Greenlink as a priority energy infrastructure project for Europe.
“It will bring benefits on both sides of the Irish Sea in terms of increased energy security, decarbonisation and downward pressure on consumer bills.”
Development of the 205km wire between County Wexford, in Ireland, and Pembroke, in Wales, is advancing.
Marine surveys for the project began in the summer of 2018 and procurement for the major construction contracts is now under way.
The surveys, which MMT vessel MV Franklin (pictured) commenced in September 2018, include intertidal topographic, geophysical/hydrographic and geotechnical investigations, as well as cone penetration testing and environmental sampling.
The project is expected to receive full regulatory approval by early 2020 and has been slated for commissioning in 2023.