Onshore wind energy up 44 per cent in first three months of 2018

The first three months of 2018 saw a 44 per cent rise in the amount of energy generated by onshore wind turbines, according to new figures from WWF Scotland.

The figures, provided by WeatherEnergy, show onshore wind generated 5,353,997 MWh to the National Grid, with turbines producing enough energy in January to power Scotland’s homes twice over.

On the most productive day, on 1 March, onshore wind produced enough electricity to power 9,065,020 homes, the equivalent to 374 per cent of Scottish households.

Renewable energy provided 68 per cent of Scotland’s overall electricity demand in 2017.

Dr Sam Gardner, WWF Scotland’s acting director said: “Renewables have provided an incredible amount of power during the first three months of this year. An increase of 44 per cent on the record-breaking equivalent period in 2017 is clear evidence the investment made in this technology has paid off for the economy and the environment, putting Scotland at the forefront of the fight against climate change.

“However, if Scotland’s full renewables potential is to be unleashed to power our economy, heat our homes and charge our cars, then the UK Government needs to stop excluding the cheapest forms of power, like onshore wind and solar, from the market.”