A BLUSTERY June has boosted wind power and helped set a new record for energy generation in Scotland, according to a conservation charity.
WWF Scotland said wind turbines provided about 1,039,001MWh of electricity to the National Grid during last month.
Renewable energy figures show the power generated during June was enough to supply the electrical needs of 118 per cent of Scottish households, or nearly three million homes.
The conservation charity said enough power from renewables was generated in the first six months of this year to supply more than all of Scotland’s national demand for a total of six days.
Wind turbines had provided 6,634,585MWh of electricity to the National Grid, which analysts say could, on average, meet the electrical needs of 124 per cent of Scottish households.
Dr Sam Gardner, acting director of WWF Scotland, said: “The first six months of 2017 have certainly been incredible for renewables, with wind turbines alone helping to ensure millions of tonnes of climate-damaging carbon emissions were avoided.
“Scotland is continuing to break records on renewable electricity, attracting investment, creating jobs and tackling climate change.
“If we want to reap the same rewards in the transport and heating sectors, we need the Scottish Government to put in place strong policies on energy efficiency and transport in the forthcoming Climate Change Bill.
“That’s why we’re calling on people to act for our future and tell the First Minister they want a strong climate bill that will deliver a fairer and healthier low-carbon Scotland.”
The figures for January to June this year showed an increase of almost a quarter (24 per cent) of renewable power compared to 2015, when wind energy provided 5,359,995MWh.
Scotland’s total electricity consumption for the first six months of 2017 – including homes, business and industry – was 11,689,385MWh.
Renewables experts say this means wind generated the equivalent of 57 per cent of Scotland’s entire electricity needs.
Karen Robinson of WeatherEnergy, who provided the data analysed by WWF Scotland, said: “It’s great to see this data confirm that Scotland is knocking it out of the park on wind power, with total output for June in particular up on the same period compared to the past two years.
“There’s no doubt renewables are helping households increasingly avoid fossil fuels for their electricity needs.”
The figures were also welcomed by Holyrood’s Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse, who added: “It’s great to hear renewable electricity generation in Scotland has reached a new record high.
“In the first quarter of this year, generation was up by 13 per cent compared to the same period last year, there was also a 16 per cent increase in capacity, and more than half of all gross electricity consumption in Scotland continues to come from renewables.
“Scotland’s total installed renewable capacity – that’s the amount of renewable electricity we are capable of producing – now stands at 9.3 GW, four times what it was only a decade ago.
“These statistics reinforce our country’s reputation as a renewable energy powerhouse and are a vindication of the Scottish Government’s energy policy.”
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