Nearly £3billion has been invested in renewable-energy projects in Scotland in less than four years, according to an industry body.
Scottish Renewables said the sector had defied the economic downturn after figures revealed more than £2.8billion has been spent on developments since the start of 2009.
More than half of the money went into onshore windfarms, which attracted £1.6billion, but only £6.5million went into wave and tidal projects.
Offshore windfarms represented £589million, while £103.7million was spent on hydro developments.
The Scottish Renewables (SR) report said the sector also supported more than 11,000 jobs.
SR chief executive Niall Stuart said: “It is mature sectors such as the wind industry that will help fund emerging sources of renewable electricity and underwrite investment in grid connections that will benefit sectors such as wave and tidal.
“These figures show the importance of the sector to our economy.
“With a continued commitment to renewables through electricity market reform and investment in grid, we can keep contributing meaningfully, securing jobs, growing the economy, and ensuring a secure energy supply that also helps us tackle climate change.”
The figures were also welcomed by business leaders in the industry.
Richard Yemm, founder and director of Pelamis Wave Power, said investments in marine power were beginning to make a significant contribution.
He added: “Having already sold multimillion-pound, Scottish designed and built Pelamis Wave Power machines to utility companies, we are well placed to start the next phase of delivery of this new and exciting Scottish industry within the renewables sector, and to making a more material contribution to our energy supply and manufacturing economy.”
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