Scotland could see blackouts and rising energy prices as a result of the UK Government's energy policies, according to the Scottish Energy Minister.

The Coalition's energy market reform plans represent "a huge risk to security of supply", Fergus Ewing said in a letter to UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey.

Ewing said: "The current proposals risk failing Scotland and the UK in a number of vital areas, and present a huge risk to UK security of supply as well as to investor confidence and our low-carbon ambitions."

He said the Scottish Government would not support an outcome which sacrifices renewable ambitions in favour of "expensive and imported" nuclear technology.

"It would be extremely unwise to ignore the vital and combined contribution of Scotland's renewable and thermal generation to keeping the lights on across the UK. Unless serious and considered steps are taken to address these matters, and which supports investment in thermal generation across the whole of the UK, then the threat of blackouts will crystallise rapidly."