India's Renewable Energy Minister, the Head of Climate Change & Environment for the European Investment Bank and the EU's North Sea Grid Co-ordinator are due to address a major international conference In Edinburgh next month.

First Minister Alex Salmond will open the two-day Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference on September 28 to discuss the multi-billion pound opportunities presented by renewable energy and other low carbon developments.

Confirmed speakers include: Dr Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New & Renewable Energy in the Indian Government; the EIB's Head of Climate Change & Environment Christopher Knowles; Georg Adamowitsch, European co-ordinator for the connection of offshore wind power in Northern Europe; and UK Energy & Climate Change Minister Charles Hendry.

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The chairman witll Angus McCrone, Chief Editor of Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Mr Salmond said: "Just as Scotland has been blessed with North Sea oil and gas, we also have huge wind, wave and tidal resources well beyond our domestic needs, enabling us to become a net exporter of clean, green energy. Together with our extensive offshore energy and engineering expertise and our record of financial innovation, this places Scotland at the forefront the development of the global low carbon economy.

"This week I have been in Norway discussing plans for renewable energy projects involving leading firms from our two nations. The SLCI conference will build on these existing partnerships, bringing major utilities and developers of low carbon projects together with key financial leaders and investors - to scope opportunities, explore challenges, identify solutions and help forge the new green economy."

Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, commented: "Scotland is preparing itself to capitalise on a generational opportunity. This will require the co-ordination of key players from not just Scotland, but from around the entire world.

"Through the Scottish Low Carbon Investment conference we are engaging with technology providers, supply chain companies and the world of finance to position Scotland as the optimum location for low carbon opportunity."

(GK/BMcC)