Scottish Energy Minister Jim Mather met Energy Minister Arlene Foster, his Northern Irish counterpart, in Belfast last week to discuss the energy challenges facing Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Ministers have agreed to meet on a regular basis to share thoughts and to work on projects that can help deliver sustainable, secure and affordable energy for consumers.

Mr Mather said: "I am delighted to be working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive. We are already collaborating on a feasibility study for better grid connections and the potential for energy from marine biomass. We will continue to regularly progress ways of securing a sustainable and economically viable energy sector for the benefit of both our economies and our environments."

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Following the meeting Arlene Foster added: "The primary focus of energy policy world-wide is increasingly moving towards security of supply and the threat of climate change. We need to maximise the opportunities for cooperation, regionally, nationally and in Europe in the face of external political and economic pressures on energy supplies."

Last week the Northern Irish Energy minister launched a scoping paper for a new strategic energy framework for the country. The paper asks questions about the energy challenges facing Northern Ireland now and in the future. This will lead the way to further consultation in early 2009 on a new strategy for energy policy.

(GK/JM)