A NEAR two-fold increase in power produced by Scottish wind turbines highlights the country’s position at the “forefront” to environmental progress, according to a WWF chief.

Analysis of WWF wind power data by WeatherEnergy found that in the first quarter of 2018 there was a 44 per cent increase in power provided to the National Grid, compared to the same period last year.

In January alone, renewable wind from onshore turbines powered the equivalent of more than five million homes.

Sam Gardner, WWF Scotland’s acting director said: “Renewables have provided an incredible amount of power during the first three months of this year.

“An increase of 44 per cent on the record-breaking equivalent period in 2017 is clear evidence the investment made in this technology has paid off for the economy and the environment, putting Scotland at the forefront of the fight against climate change.”

The figures also showed wind turbines provided more than 5,353,997 MWh of electricity to the grid during the quarter.

The best day for wind power was March 1 when 110,149MWh was generated. The 2018 statistics follow data showing that 68 per cent of Scotland’s electricity demand came from renewable sources in 2017.

Environmental groups say renewables overtook nuclear as the second biggest source of power UK-wide in the final quarter of 2017.

However, they also called for the British Government to stop excluding cheaper power such as onshore, wind and solar from the market.

Karen Robinson of WeatherEnergy, which provided the data for WWF said: “It’s great to see renewables continuing to power Scotland, adding to the year on year evidence that greater investment in both renewables and storage is the way forward.”