Independent renewable energy projects are now generating more than £190million a year for Scotland, according to new figures.
Commercial-scale projects produce a combined capacity of 1.4gw and account for almost a third of the total capacity of renewable energy across Britain.
The Energy Entrepreneur report found there were 334 commercial-scale projects of over 50kW capacity across Scotland at the end of 2012, including 37 business-based projects generating £19million of wholesale electricity a year.
The figures, compiled by energy purchaser SmartestEnergy, saw sustained growth in the independent generation sector.
“Rising energy prices and the introduction of financial subsidy schemes such as the feed-in tariff have sparked huge interest in the development of independent renewable generation projects in recent years,” said Iain Robertson, the firm’s head of generation.
“For businesses and organisations faced with steep rises in energy costs, investing in their own renewable energy projects can generate significant savings and help them remain competitive.
“The combined strength of a large number of these projects will also play an important role in helping the country meet its climate change targets in the years ahead.”
The report found commercial-scale renewable energy projects were producing £768million worth of electricity a year.
