Because of the unexpected spike in demand the Scottish Government did not formally consult with industry representatives regarding the withdrawal of the Energy Saving Scotland home renewables grants for electricity generating technologies. But we have an ongoing dialogue with industry representatives through the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland and the Scottish Microrenewables Working Group on the future of microgeneration support and the Feed-In Tariff.

Also, our recent consultation on Conserve and Save: The Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Scotland asked questions on how Scottish Government support for microrenewables should be delivered in light of the UK Government''s Clean Energy Cashback Schemes and how we can improve the energy performance of Scotland''s housing to help meet our climate change objectives. The response to this consultation are available on the Scottish Government website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Action/energy-efficiency-policy/ActionPlan.

There will be no overall savings to the Energy Saving Scotland Home RENEWABLEs Grant budget line of £2.6 million in 2010-11. By closing the scheme to electricity generating technologies, the Scottish Government has been able to ensure that the remaining £450,000 is available for heat generating technology applications.

Annual income from renewable energy projects on the national forest estate could rise to around £10 million over the next five years, but this is subject to a number of factors, including the price of renewable energy.

The Promoting Positive Outcomes Implementation Plan was published at the end of October 2009 and the first annual report on implementation will be presented in the autumn.

The First Minister met the Maldives President''s Envoy for Science and Technology in Edinburgh on 11 December 2009 and then met President Nasheed of the Maldives in Copenhagen on 15 December 2009 during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) climate conference where they signed a Joint Statement and then addressed The Climate Group''s Climate Leaders Summit of over 60 state and regional government ministers.

The First Minister met the Maldives President''s Envoy for Science and Technology in Edinburgh on 11 December 2009 and then met President Nasheed of the Maldives in Copenhagen on 15 December 2009 during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) climate conference where they signed a Joint Statement and then addressed The Climate Group''s Climate Leaders Summit of over 60 state and regional government Ministers. Officials from The Scottish European Green Energy Centre in Aberdeen, Business, Enterprise and Energy Directorate, the Energy Technology Partnership and Culture and External Affairs Directorate have all had direct contact and discussions with representatives of the Maldives Government.

Officials from The Scottish European Green Energy Centre in Aberdeen, Business, Enterprise and Energy Directorate, the Energy Technology Partnership and Culture and External Affairs Directorate have all had direct contact and discussions with representatives of the Maldives Government. Officials from the Climate Change and Water Industry Directorate are providing co-ordination and briefing.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-30105 on 15 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Officials from the Scottish European Green Energy Centre in Aberdeen, the Business, Enterprise and Energy Directorate, the Energy Technology Partnership, the Climate Change and Water Industry Directorate and the Culture, External Affairs and Tourism Directorate are supporting Scottish ministers on the Partnership with the Maldives.

As set out in the answer to question S3W-30104, no arrangements have been made.