​Encouraging figures prove renewable sources are cutting carbon emissions

Nearly half of Scotland's electricity needs was produced by wind power last month, new figures reveal.

For 22 days in January, electricity generated from the wind was enough to power every Scottish home.

Data provided by WeatherEnergy and analysed by WWF Scotland showed that turbines supplied a total of 1,125,544 Megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity to the national grid.

This amounts to 48% of Scotland's total electricity consumption, which includes power used by homes, businesses and industry for the month.

Karen Robinson of WeatherEnergy said: "2016 has begun very much like 2015 ended, with wind power helping to supply large amounts of electricity to Scotland's homes and businesses.

All this renewable output is helping to avoid carbon emissions - Karen Robinson

"All this renewable output is helping to avoid carbon emissions, something more important than ever as we begin to see the damaging impacts of climate change."

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: "2015 proved to be a big year for renewables, and the latest data makes clear that 2016 is already off to a flying start, with wind power alone meeting nearly half of Scotland's total electricity needs during January."

He added he had "little doubt that 2016 will be another record year for renewables" but stressed: "What happens in the longer term will be down to our political leaders.

"That is why, as we approach the Holyrood elections, we'd like to see each of the political parties commit to ensuring Scotland becomes the EU's first fully renewable electricity nation by 2030.

"This is an ambition with real vision that would mean Scotland captures the full benefits of its renewable potential."