Scotland's Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has welcomed new figures that show output from renewables in quarter one 2012 increased by 45.5 per cent on the same period the year before.
Provisional figures from the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) show that renewable electricity generation in Scotland was 4,590 gigawatt hours (GWh) in the first quarter of 2012, up 1,435 GWh on Q1 2011.
The provisional figures also show an increase of 9.8 per cent or 435 megawatts (MW) in installed renewables electricity capacity in Scotland in Q1 2012 compared to Q1 2011.
DECC also today issued revised statistics for 2011 which show that renewable electricity generation in Scotland was 13,735 GWh in 2011, a record high level, up 44.3 per cent on 2010, and up 97.3 per cent on 2006.
The revised 2011 figures continue to show good progress towards the Scottish Government’s 2020 target of the equivalent of 100 per cent of electricity demand coming from renewables.
Assuming gross consumption in 2011 was similar to 2010, that means around 35 per cent of Scotland’s electricity needs came from renewables in 2011, beating the Scottish Government’s interim target of 31 per cent.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “These figures show that renewable energy generation in Scotland is going from strength to strength.
“The increase of 45.5 per cent in renewable output in quarter one 2012 compared to quarter one 2011 is particularly encouraging when you consider that 2011 saw the highest output from renewable energy to date.
“We are seeing great progress towards our goal of generating the equivalent of 100 per cent of Scotland’s electricity needs from renewables by 2020.
“Scotland has astounding renewable energy potential, and the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring every community in Scotland benefits from the opportunities of renewable energy.
“Projects representing £750 million of investment were switched on in 2011, with an investment pipeline of £46 billion. Industry figures show 11,000 people are employed in renewables in Scotland already, a figure which is set to grow. And since the turn of the year, we have seen Gamesa invest in Leith creating around 800 new jobs, the Green Investment Bank being headquartered in Edinburgh and Samsung Heavy Industries announcing it will base its £100 million European offshore wind project in Methil, creating up to 500 jobs. Renewable energy is already delivering jobs, investment and opportunities for the people of Scotland.
“Scotland is a genuine world leader in green energy and our targets reflect the scale of our natural resources, the strength of our energy capabilities and the value we place on creating new, sustainable industries.”
WWF Scotland's Head of Policy Dr Dan Barlow added: "This big jump in Scotland's renewable output is exciting news and keeps us on track to generate 100 per cent of our electricity demand from renewables by 2020. The continued growth in renewables underlines why it was sensibe for Peel Energy to abandon its futile attempt to build a coal-fired power station at Hunterston in Ayrshire.
"To ensure Scotland remains on track to a fully renewable future we need to see continued and rapid deployment of all forms of renewables alongside investment in energy efficiency. Such a path will help create jobs, reduce pollution and protect households from volatile fossil fuel prices."
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