Scotland is on-track for its greenest ever year of electricity generation, figures from the UK Government have shown.
The amount of renewable energy generated during the first nine months of the year was up more than 15% on the same period last year, according to the statistics from the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Overall, enough green power to cover more than 36% of the country’s gross electricity consumption requirements was generated during last year.
Almost 40% of the UK’s green energy came from Scotland last year, with more than 26% of the power generated north of the border being exported.
The Scottish Government said the figures showed that it was on course to hit a target for the equivalent of 100% of Scotland’s power needs to be met from renewables by 2020.
“Other sectors of the economy are now benefiting from the renewables policy, including civil engineering,” said Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.
“One pound in every eight spent on civil engineering in infrastructure in Scotland comes from grid and renewables work, helping to provide a sustainable economic future and supporting 1,200 jobs,” hesaid.
Scottish Renewables said the statistics highlighted the fact that output from the sector is now twice that of gas-fired power stations, and more than 25% higher than coal.
Around £909m of capital was invested in green energy in the first six months of this year, and 11,000 people work in the industry.
“These new figures should provide some food for thought for those who have remained unconvinced about the contribution renewable energy is making to delivering our energy needs,” said director of policy Jenny Hogan.
The figures also show that energy consumption is 6.2% lower than the 2005-7 baseline.
This indicates that Scotland is on track to meet an energy reduction target of 12% by 2020.
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