Record year for renewables generation

New figures demonstrate renewable electricity generation in Scotland in 2017 increased by 26% on last year, and 14% on the previous record year in 2015, making 2017 a record year for renewable electricity generation and for the first time ever Scotland has more than 10GW of installed renewable capacity.

The latest figures show that in 2017, it is estimated that the equivalent of 68.1% of gross electricity consumption came from renewable sources, up 14.1 percentage points from 54% in 2016. This is 45 percentage points more than the equivalent figure for the rest of the UK.

The latest figures, published today also show:

• At the end of Q4 2017 a record, 10GW of installed renewables electricity capacity was operational in Scotland, a 13% increase over the year from Q4 2016
• In 2017, wind generation increased by 34% and hydro by 9%
• Renewable electricity generation in Q4 of 2017 in Scotland increased by 45% from the same time last year (Q4 2016)

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse welcomed these figures saying:

“These figures show that Scotland’s renewable energy sector is stronger than ever and has a strong pipeline of further projects still to be constructed.

“Despite damaging policy changes from the UK Government that will soon come into full effect, we continue to harness, galvanize and support Scotland’s renewables potential, both in generation and infrastructure.

"Scotland's Energy Strategy recognises and builds on our achievements to date and on our country's capacity for innovation. Renewable energy will play a hugely significant role in powering Scotland's future and through the strategy we want to ensure the correct strategic decisions are taken to support this much valued sector of Scotland’s economy as it goes from strength to strength."

Background

View the report here.

In 2017, renewable electricity generation in Scotland was 24,826 GWh, up 26% from 19,676 GWh in 2016 and up 14% from 21,759 GWh in 2015, the previous record year. Installed capacity increased by 1149MW from Q4 2016 to reach 10,047MW by Q4 2017, again a record level of renewables capacity.