Record level of renewable energy made in Scotland

The amount of green power generated in Scotland reached record levels last year, according to the latest official figures from the UK government.

Data from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy shows 26,708 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity was produced north of the Border in 2018 – a 6.1 per cent increase on the previous record in 2017.

The output means nearly three-quarters of the country’s annual gross electricityconsumptioncamefrom renewable sources.

Much of the increase came from offshore wind, with capacity and generation more than doubling in the past 12 months.

Last year also saw the highest ever electricity exports from Scotland, which almost doubled from 12,868 gigawatt hours to 24,379 gigawatt hours.

Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse welcomed the figures, which he says show the country’s renewable energy sector “continues to go from strength to strength” despite Westminster cuts.