THE remainder of the UK (RUK) could buy power from abroad if an independent Scotland cannot sell its energy at a competitive price, Westminster's Energy Secretary has warned.

Ed Davey rejected the SNP's claim that Westminster would continue to pay for Scotland's energy if it leaves the UK.

Scotland would become just one of many countries RUK could turn to for the cheapest and most reliable deal, he told a renewable energy industry gathering in Edinburgh.

The UK could buy wind from Ireland, geo-thermal from Iceland, hydro from Norway and develop the untapped potential in England and Wales, he said.

Scotland provides "a very small proportion" of RUK's energy demand at around 4.5%, he added.

And "there are no guarantees" Scotland could maintain this level once it has paid to upgrade its grid, subsidised its remote areas and powered its own homes, he said.

Westminster's "positive case" for keeping the UK together "leads to the negative", he said.

"I have no doubt that we would continue to trade energy with an independent Scotland but net electricity imports from Scotland make up only about one 20th of demand in England and Wales," he said.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Scottish energy bills will go down in an independent Scotland because of the removal of the Energy Companies Obligation and the Warm Home Discount from bills."