Scotland needs the power to manage its own natural resources so it can become the energy powerhouse of Europe, First Minister Alex Salmond said in his New Year message.

Mr Salmond predicted a 'renewables revolution' emanating from a Scotland which had won the 'natural lottery' - with wind, wave and tidal resources offering the capacity to produce some 10 times Scotland's own electricity requirements.

The FM pointed to the Climate Change Act - setting legally binding targets to cut Scottish greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent and 80 per cent by 2020 and 2050 respectively - as the most important legislation passed by the Parliament in 2009, even although world leaders in Copenhagen had failed to commit fully to a way forward.

"In Copenhagen I spoke about Scotland's energy potential, our green energy potential, our ambition to be the energy powerhouse of Europe," he said.

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"Many countries saw the lead that Scotland was taking as an example of the legislation and of the action that must be taken to protect our planet collectively. Despite the disappointment of Copenhagen, people power internationally will force political leadership to commit to the ambitious targets for their countries that Scotland has already set."

But the FM added that Scotland must get the benefit of its own resources if it was to become a major exporter and the energy powerhouse of the Europe.

He said: "Even now, we're being held back in the exploitation of these renewables because we now have to pay in Scotland much higher connection charges to the electricity grid than companies have to pay south of the border. That's totally unfair and totally unacceptable.

"If we're going to make the most of this renewable revolution, then we're going to have to have equal access to the grid - and the powers for our Parliament to secure that proper access."

The FM noted that the people of Scotland should be given their say in making sure that their parliament can extend its powers to have the ability to mobilise the resources of Scotland for Scotland's benefit.

"The referendum on the constitution is not an abstraction - it's not something for politicians. It's something for every person in Scotland. Because if we're going to harness the power of Scotland, then we need to give Scotland power," he concluded.

(GK)