Scotland has broken renewable energy generation records, producing 10.3TWh of electricity in the first half of 2014 and overtaking nuclear as the country’s main source of power.
According to new independent figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), renewables have generated 32% more electricity than any other source of power in Scotland.The data also shows that nuclear, coal and gas-fired electricity generation produced 7.8TWh, 5.6TWh and 1.4TWh respectively over the same period.
Scottish Renewables chief executive Niall Stuart said: “This important milestone is good news for anyone who cares about Scotland’s economy, our energy security and our efforts to tackle climate change.
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Cutting emissions
WWF Scotland director Lang Banks described the announcement as ‘historic’ and said it represents a ‘major step on the way to Scotland becoming a 100% renewable nation’.
“Last month, while nuclear reactors were forced to shut because of cracks, Scotland’s renewables were quietly and cleanly helping to keep the lights on in homes across the country,” said Banks. “Wind turbines in Scotland alone generated enough electricity to supply three million homes in the UK – equivalent to 126% of the electricity needs of every home north of the border.
“Put simply, renewables work and are helping to cut climate change emissions and create jobs in Scotland.”
In October, the Scottish Government approved 500 wind turbines spread across four offshore wind farms in the Forth and Tay region.
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