Energy Minister Arlene Foster met her Scottish counterpart Jim Mather in Belfast last week to discuss energy challenges facing the two countries.

The ministers discussed co-operation on strategically important issues to Scotland and Northern Ireland, and also took the opportunity to consider common priorities for energy policy, regional energy infrastructure and the growing emphasis on renewable energy and security of supply.

Following the meeting, Arlene Foster said: “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 co-operation, regionally, nationally and in Europe in the face of external political and economic pressures on energy supplies.

“Minister Mather and I have agreed to meet on a regular basis to share thinking and to work on projects that can help deliver sustainable, secure and affordable energy for consumers.

The minister added: “A key focus will be on practical measures to maximise the opportunities from our off-shore renewable energy resources.”

The Scottish Energy Minister said it was important to work 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,” he said.

Earlier this week Mrs Foster launched a scoping paper for a new strategic energy framework for Northern Ireland.

The paper asks questions about the energy challenges facing Northern Ireland now and in the future, and will lead to further consultation in early 2009 on a new strategy for energy policy.