Wind power generated electricity for 87% of Scots households last month

Scotland’s wind turbines provided enough electricity to the national grid to supply, on average, the needs of 87% of Scottish households last month (Oct 2016).

 The figures, published by Weather Energy showed that: –

• Wind turbines in Scotland provided 792,717MWh of electricity to the National Grid, enough to supply, on average, the electrical needs of 87% of Scottish households (2.1 million homes)
• This represents an increase of 27% compared to that of October 2016, when wind energy provided 625,341MWh, and:
• Scotland’s total electricity consumption (i.e. including homes, business and industry) for October was 2,080,065 MWh. Wind power therefore generated the equivalent of 38% of Scotland’s entire electricity needs for the month.

The SNP said that Scotland’s continued progress on wind energy generation proves the Scottish Government is committed to powering Scotland’s future.  

Commenting, SNP MSP Gillian Martin, who is a member of the Scottish Economy Committee in Holyrood, said: “This news of Scotland’s renewables potential continuing to be developed is very welcome, and proves that the approach of the Scottish Government in supporting the energy technologies of the future is correct and will benefit Scotland for years to come

“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.”

A Weather Energy spokesman added: “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