A key document on the future of sustainable energy in Northern Ireland is to be released for consultation, it has been announced.

The Stormont Executive's decision to publish the Strategic Energy Framework for Northern Ireland 2009 was welcomed by Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.

Ms Foster said: "I have made it clear for some time now that as long as fossil fuels continue to dominate local power production, Northern Ireland will suffer from the volatility of worldwide shifts in the cost of oil, gas and coal."

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The Minister said it was "vital" that renewable power generation and building energy infrastructure was prioritised by the government.

"Our aim is to achieve a competitive, sustainable long-term future for energy in Northern Ireland," she said.

"The draft framework proposes new and ambitious renewable energy targets, including 40% renewable electricity by 2020.

"These proposed targets reflect the need for effective action against climate change and the need to address other policy goals in terms of security and sustainability of supply and costs."

Ms Foster added: "I want to ensure that these proposals are appropriate for Northern Ireland and would encourage all stakeholders to contribute to the development of our future energy policy. These are challenging times and important choices must be made."

(PR/JM)