There has been an increase of just under 10% in the number of Scots who support the continued development of wind power as part of the country’s energy mix over the past two years.
According to a YouGov survey, 71% of adults expressed this view last month – compared to 64% in February 2013.
Support for wind power was highest among young Scots, with 81% of those aged 18-24 backing the continued development of the technology. That figure was lowest among those aged 55-plus, but still stands at almost two-thirds (65%).
Over the same two year period, the capacity of onshore wind in Scotland rose by 20%.
Fergus Ewing, Scottish Energy Minister, commented: “Scottish Government policy on onshore windfarms strikes a careful balance between maximising Scotland’s huge green energy potential and protecting some of our finest scenic landscapes – planning authorities help to guide windfarms to the best places and when windfarms don’t meet strict planning guidelines they are rejected.
“Renewable energy can make a significant contribution to sustainable economic growth, help to cut emissions and mitigate climate change. They also help deliver secure, low carbon and cost-effective energy supplies in unstable times.
“Wind power, as part of a wider, balanced energy mix in Scotland, has a pivotal role in the delivery of Scotland’s 2020 targets, with the latest statistics showing that Scotland is on track for another record year of renewable generation in 2014, with generation up 21% over the first three quarters of the year.
“Scotland is already providing around a third of the UK’s renewable electricity generation and helping to keep the lights on across our islands at a time where there is an increasingly tight gap between electricity supply and demand.”
See Scottish Energy News POLICY PLATFORM article: Dash for Scottish renewables is creating an ‘economic cuckoo’ which threatens security of Scotland’s power supplies – goo.gl/wyjzPC