Northern Ireland must grasp the opportunities sustainable energy offers if it is to prosper, the Energy Minister has said.

Arlene Foster said the province must be put on a definite path in order to secure its energy future.

Minister Foster told delegates at the annual Northern Ireland Energy Conference, in Belfast, her department's 40% renewable electricity target had received a positive response during the consultation process.

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"Global agreement will only work if action is taken at the local level. Climate change brings dangers but it also brings opportunities," she said.

"If Northern Ireland is to prosper we will need to grasp those opportunities."

Ms Foster warned the cost of inaction on renewables now would "lock us into potentially even higher costs" over the long term.

"The era of low energy prices is over. It is likely that the costs of conventional energy generation will continue to rise."

The Minister said her Executive colleagues would continue to encourage the use of renewable power, and push through infrastructural works needed to enhance security and diversity of energy supply.

(PR/BMcc)