SCOTLAND must continue to be a “world leader” in renewables, campaigners and industry groups have said.

WWF Scotland, Scottish Renewables and Star Renewables said the sector needs to build on its achievements of 2017 and maintain the momentum into 2018.

They highlighted milestones from the past 12 months such as the Scottish Government commitment to delivering 50 per cent of all Scotland’s energy from renewables by 2030 and the world’s first floating wind farm beginning to deliver electricity to the Scottish grid in October.

Another key step was the planning permission granted in August for Scotland’s largest solar farm in Moray.

“Scotland remains a world leader in renewables innovation, utilising our immense natural resources,” said Dr Sam Gardner, WWF Scotland acting director.

“We now need to build on the success we’ve seen in renewable electricity to drive forward renewable energy in our heat and transport sectors.

Claire Mack, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said the achievements of Scotland’s renewable energy industry in 2017 were “something of which the whole country can be proud”.

She added: “With the active backing of government, and the determination of industry, this industry can continue to deliver the benefits of our commitment to tackle climate change, bring secure, affordable energy to the UK and assist in the shift to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.”

Scottish Government Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse hailed the move towards a more sustainable future, adding that official statistics for the first three-quarters of this year put Scotland on track for a record year of renewable electricity generation.

“This reflects our commitment to clean, low-carbon energy investment, and the Scottish Government will continue to work with industry, communities and stakeholders to strongly support the renewable energy sector in Scotland,” he said.