UK in talks with Iceland over 'volcanic power link

The UK is to hold talks with Iceland about harnessing the power of its volcanoes to import energy.

Ministers are discussing the idea of building a giant undersea cable to pump some of Iceland's plentiful supply of geothermal energy to the UK.

Energy Minister Charles Hendry, due to visit Reykjavik next month, said Iceland was "very keen" on the idea.

He told the Guardian such cables, known as interconnectors, would be crucial to the UK as it produced less energy.

The UK has access to two existing international interconnectors - to France and the Netherlands - while nine more are currently either being built or considered.

If all of these are completed, they could end up meeting a third of the UK's annual electricity demand.

Any cable link between the UK and Iceland would be the longest of its kind in the world, at up to 932 miles.