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Henry McLeish, Scotland's minister for enterprise and lifelong learning, has launched a Pounds 600,000 partnership between higher education and industry to research energy technologies and get them into the market.

The Scottish Energy Environment Foundation, based at Strathclyde University, is backed by Strathclyde and Edinburgh universities, Scottish and Southern Energy, Scottish Power, British Energy, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Executive. It aims to pinpoint energy research and support its commercialisation, as well as advising on environmental policy.

Mr McLeish said: "The energy utilities in Scotland rank with the best in the world. I am delighted that they are investing to create an internationally significant centre of excellence."