According to figures released by WWF Scotland, wind turbines in the country have provided almost enough electricity to supply the average needs of almost every Scottish home last month.
Generating the equivalent of 38 per cent of Scotland’s entire electricity needs, WWF Scotland said that the figures should act as an incentive to politicians to make similar progress in other fields, as the country now avoids over a million tonnes of carbon emissions a month.
The turbines produced 792,717MWh of electricity to the national grid last month, representing an increase of more than a quarter in the same period last year.
Karen Robinson of WeatherEnergy said that:
According to the Met Office, Scotland had the sunniest and one of the driest Octobers since records began.
“However, the month also witnessed some powerful winds leading to a significant increase in wind power output when compared to last year.”
“All this additional renewable electricity is good news in the battle to address global climate change.”
The news was welcomed by the SNP and Scottish Greens, with SNP MSP Gillian Martin praising the Scottish Government for supporting renewable technologies:
Our renewables sector is vital to jobs across the country, as well as helping us to meet our commitments on climate change – with WWF Scotland suggesting that the Scottish Government’s success in cutting emissions through use of renewables should be an ‘inspiration’ for other countries.”
This week UN delegates have gathered in Morocco to discuss international action on climate change, with WWF Scotland director, Lang Banks, hoping to inspire other countries into following Scotland’s lead.
Despite this, Scottish Conservatives have accused the Scottish Government of overturning two-thirds of windfarm applications rejected by local councils.
Earlier in the month one of Scotland’s largest energy providers warned that onshore wind development could come to a standstill if the UK government does not offer a commitment to its future.
Scottish Power said that no new framework has been created for windfarms when subsidies came to an end in April.
UK ministers said their position on the issue remains unchanged however.
