ALEX Salmond will claim today that up to 12,000 jobs could be created through a new strategy to capitalise on Scotland's expertise in electricity supply and demand.

The First Minister will speak at the launch of a strategy to secure Scotland's place at the forefront of "smart-grid" technology, which accommodates the changing patterns of demand and generation of electricity and facilitating the integration of renewables.

Mr Salmond, launching the Smart Grid Sector Strategy at the All Energy conference in Aberdeen, will say smart grid technologies and services would be an important part of the drive to ensure renewable energy generates 100% of Scotland's electricity demand by 2020 and was an important opportunity for Scottish businesses and research institutions.