Scotland cements itself as a big player in wind energy

The Ardrossan Wind, Scotland
The Ardrossan Wind, Scotland

Strong winds helped wind turbines produce the equivalent of all of Scotland’s electricity needs last weekend.

The figures, provided by analysis firm Weather Energy and analysed by WWF Scotland, showed Scottish wind turbines sent 39,545MWh of electricity to the National Grid last Sunday.

Total electricity consumption in Scotland on Sunday was 37,202MWh, meaning wind power generated the equivalent of 106 per cent of Scotland’s entire electricity needs on the day.

“While Sunday’s weather caused disruption for many people, it also proved to be a good day for wind power output,” WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said.

“This major moment was made possible thanks in part to many years of political support, which means that across the year now renewables contribute well over half of our electricity needs.”

Mr Banks said political support for renewables had to continue if Scotland wants to reap the benefits of being a low carbon economy.

“We also need the Scottish Government’s forthcoming energy strategy to set a goal of securing half of all of our energy, across electricity, heat and transport, from renewables by 2030,” he said.

Scotland is becoming a big player when it comes to wind energy. In May, it strengthened its credentials as a world leader after a $3.37 billion offshore wind farm got the go ahead.

SSE, the FTSE 100 energy company behind the wind farm, forecast it would power 450,000 homes and described the project as one of the largest private investments ever made in Scottish infrastructure.

The Beatrice Offshore Windfarm will consist of 84 turbines, provide 588MW of power and hopefully go online in 2019, SSE said. The project’s owners are SSE, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and SDIC Power.

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