Figures released today indicate Scotland continues to set the agenda for renewable energy electricity production in the UK.
Output for the first half of 2017 was revealed to be up by 17% compared with the same period in 2016.
Data published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy show Scotland generating as much as 54% of its total electricity consumption for 2016, compared with just 17.8% in 2015.
Paul Wheelhouse, Scotland’s minister for business, innovation and energy, said these statistics illustrate the strength of the renewables sector in Scotland.
Wheelhouse said today’s announcement “reflects our commitment to clean, green energy building and we will continue to support the renewable energy sector in Scotland.”
The country maintains its lead in this sector, supplying approximately 24% of the total renewable electricity for the UK in 2016.
Responding, Jenny Hogan, deputy chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “The on-going success of Scotland’s renewable energy industry is an achievement of which everyone in Scotland should be proud. “
Hogan went on to explain that today’s announcement was due to the diverse nature of Scotland’s energy mix, which includes onshore wind, hydro projects, solar, biomass, and tidal energy among others.
She added: “We’re harnessing our natural resources – in effect our notably bad weather – to produce clean energy which is powering our economy and helping reduce the amount of carbon emitted by our power sector.”
In addition, Scotland’s total energy consumption for 2015 was shown to be 15.4% lower than in 2005-2007, exceeding the Scottish Government’s 12% reduction target in energy consumption for 2020.
Paul Wheelhouse said: “A low carbon economy is not just a practical way forward, but Scotland’s clean energy resources are playing an increasingly crucial role in the security of our energy supply.
“The future for renewable energy is bright in Scotland.”
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