Environmental groups say last month was an “extraordinary month” for renewables in Scotland with wind power providing enough energy to power 95% of Scottish households.
WWF Scotland’s analysis of renewables data provided by WeatherEnergy, found wind turbines alone provided 863,494.63 MWh of electricity to the National Grid during May.
The figure, environmentalists say, is enough to supply the average electrical needs of 95% of Scottish households. It is also an increase of almost 20% compared to May 2016 when wind energy provided 692,896.1 MWh.
Overall the data showed that wind generated enough output to supply 100% or more of Scottish homes on 11 out of of the 31 days in May.
Scotland’s total electricity consumption, including homes, business and industry, last month was 1,857,566 MWh. Wind power therefore generated the equivalent of 46% of Scotland’s entire electricity needs for the month.
Dr Sam Gardner, acting director of WWF Scotland, said: “Despite the disappointment of last week’s announcement that President Trump is to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement, the global energy revolution is unstoppable and continues at pace here in Scotland.
“May proved to be another great month for renewables with the wind sector meeting 95% of the electricity needs of Scotland’s households.
“On one day in particular, May 15, output from turbines generated enough electricity to power 190% of homes or 99% of Scotland’s total electricity demand. Month after month renewables play a vital role in cutting carbon emissions and powering the Scottish economy.
“The Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy makes a welcome commitment to build on this progress and tackle our reliance on fossil fuels for heating and transport.”
Homes fitted with solar PV panels, gathered enough sunshine to generate over 100% of the electricity needs of an average household in Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Lerwick.
Solar PV data showed the sunniest place was Lerwick on the Shetland Islands which generated 114% of an average household electricity demand. It was followed closely by Dundee with 112%.
For those with solar hot water panels, there was enough sunshine to generate more than 90% of an average household’s hot water needs in Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee, Lerwick, Perth, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Stirling.
Solar power also had an impact on renewables data.
Dr Gardner added: “Thanks to a super sunny month, solar was on sizzling form and could have met more than 100% of household electricity demand in towns and cities across Scotland.”
Karen Robinson, of WeatherEnergy, said: “Scotland again managed to pump out clean power by the bucket load during May.
“While people might not be too surprised to learn solar power output was up in May, they might be surprised to discover that wind power output was also pretty impressive.
“When it comes to renewables in Scotland, it would appear the sun does indeed have his hat on.”
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