Headland Archaeology has been awarded a £50K contract to provide transboundary marine archaeology consultancy services for a 260km underwater electric power cable linking Ireland with the UK. The large scale energy project is being developed by EirGrid Plc, the commercially run semi state company which manages and operates the Irish electricity transmission system, will be the first electricity link between Ireland and Wales. It will create a two-way power transmission between the nations by the end of 2012 supplying enough energy to power 300,000 homes. The EirGrid East West Interconnector will improve the security of energy supplies, promote competition in the electricity sector and encourage the growth of renewable energy. The UK and Irish subsidiaries of Headland Archaeology were appointed to the project following a procurement process, and have already begun work on the project conducting a cultural heritage assessment within Irish waters. The firm will continue to provide specialist marine archaeological services to EirGrid right through to installation in 2012, which will include Environmental Impact Assessments (EIS), site survey supervision, procurement advice and stakeholder liaison. [...]