Scotland reaches record renewables output

 
Renewables sources delivered 49.7% of gross electricity consumption in Scotland in 2014.

The numbers represent an increase from 44.4% in 2013, and are higher than both nuclear at 33% and fossil fuels at 28% for the first time, according to the energy statistics report.

This means that the 2015 50% renewable electricity target has almost been met one year ahead of schedule, Scottish government states.

Renewable generation in 2014 was up 11.9% on 2013, and accounted for a record 38% of total Scottish generation.

Scotland generated 49,929 GW/h of electricity in 2014 with renewable electricity generation delivering 18,962 GW/h. Scottish renewable generation made up approximately 29% of the total UK renewable output in 2014, Scottish government’s press release reads.

Welcoming the figures, Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “Today’s figures show that Scotland’s renewables sector is stronger than ever and our early adoption of clean, green energy technology and infrastructure was the right thing to do. It is fantastic news that renewables are now Scotland’s biggest electricity generator, and that nearly half of gross electricity consumption comes from renewables.

“At the end of Q3 2015, there was 7,504 MW of installed renewables electricity capacity in Scotland, an increase of 4.6% over the year.”