Renewable energy use in October one of the best ever

October was a “bumper month” for renewables in Scotland, new figures published by WWF Scotland reveal.

Analysis by the environmental group found that for the month of October wind turbines alone generated enough energy to power 3,045,000 homes in the UK – more than enough to power the needs of every home in Scotland.

WWF’s research also found that there was enough sunshine to power solar panels - meeting an estimated 46% of the electricity needs of an average home in Edinburgh, 38% in Inverness, 37% in Glasgow, and 33% in Aberdeen.

WWF Scotland’s director Lang Banks said it showed that wind and solar renewable energy was meeting Scotland’s needs.

“While nuclear power plants were being forced to shut because of cracks, Scotland’s wind and sunshine were quietly and cleanly helping to keep the lights on in homes across the country,” he said.

If we are to prevent the worst impacts of global climate change then the world needs to move away from fossil fuels

“Summer may be a distant memory, but for the tens of thousands of Scottish households that have installed solar panels to generate electricity or heat water, a third or more of their needs were met from the sun this October, helping reduce their reliance on coal, gas, or even oil.”

The figures come immediately after United Nations scientists published their latest report on global climate change, warning that without action the world faces “severe, pervasive and irreversible” damage.

Banks added: “The science is clear, if we are to prevent the worst impacts of global climate change, then the world needs to move away from fossil fuels. The good news is that here in Scotland we’re making good use of wind power to create clean electricity.

“However, if Scotland is going to meet its future climate change targets, then we need to see greater support for energy efficiency and renewable heat, as well as action to curb emissions from transport.”