An independent Scotland would be in a “strong position” to emulate the success of Norway’s energy industry.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said the two countries could play a key role in Europe’s increasingly integrated energy market, building on established expertise in both the renewables and oil and gas sectors.
The Inverness and Nairn MSP made the comments in advance of a two-day visit to Norway.
He will hold talks with companies including Statoil and Apply and speak at the Holmenkollen 2014 Thought Leaders Summit in Oslo.
Mr Ewing said: “Norway is a great example of how, by using the powers of independence, it has not only developed a very strong energy sector but, via its oil fund, has used its energy wealth to benefit the whole country.
“As set out in the white paper, Scotland’s Future, Norway provides an excellent example of how a country can effectively manage its oil and gas revenues.”
The Scandinavian country established an oil fund in 1990 – the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, worth around £470billion.
“This is something we can strive towards in an independent Scotland,” Mr Ewing added.
“Building on our hydro heritage and offshore energy engineering expertise gained from North Sea oil and gas, our nations are clearly both well placed to make a huge contribution to Europe’s green energy ambitions.
“Norway and Scotland have been blessed with a wealth of natural resources and the development of the energy sector in the two countries has many parallels with the exchange of ideas and technology over the last century.”
Mr Ewing said dam design and technology developed by Scots in the early 20th century was adopted for use in Norwegian schemes and the development of offshore oil and gas in the North Sea over the last 40 years had led to extensive ties between the countries.
Anne MacColl, the chief executive of Scottish Development International, is accompanying Mr Ewing on the visit. She said: “As a significant investor into our salmon industry and our third largest market for oil and gas exports, Norway continues to be a vitally important partner.”
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