(Article first Published on: news.stv.tv/Scotland | January 03, 2015)
December was a record month for wind power in Scotland, according to environmentalists who have hailed 2014 as a "massive year" for renewable energy.
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The biggest day for output for wind was on December 10 when there was enough energy generated to supply 6.34 million homes for the whole day, analysis from WWF Scotland showed. The charity said wind turbines generated enough power to supply over 100% of Scottish households on 25 out of the 31 days of December.
Throughout the year wind provided enough power for the electrical needs of 98% of Scottish households, with solar power meeting two-thirds or more of household electricity or hot water needs, it added.
Lang Banks, WWF Scotland's director, said: "Without doubt, 2014 was a massive year for renewables, with wind turbines and solar panels helping to ensure millions of tonnes of climate-wreaking carbon emissions were avoided.
"With 2015 being a critical year for addressing climate change internationally, it's vital that Scotland continues to press ahead with plans to harness even greater amounts of clean energy.
"December turned out to be a record-breaking month for wind power, with enough green energy generated to supply a record 164% of Scottish households with the electricity they need.
"Even on calmer days, wind still supplied the equivalent of over a third of electricity needs of every home."
Using data provided by WeatherEnergy, the charity said for homes fitted with solar photo-voltaic systems, there was enough sunshine in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness to generate an estimated 100% or more of the electricity needs of an average property during June and July and 60% or more in the same four cities during March, April, May, August and September.
Karen Robinson, of WeatherEnergy, added: "We're famous in the UK for our obsession with the weather, but how often do we see it in a positive light? At a time when the world is desperately looking for low-carbon sources of energy, the data show that clean renewables are already playing a significant and growing role in Scotland's, and the rest of the UK's, overall energy mix. We just need to blow their trumpet a bit more.
"Scotland is clearly leading the way when it comes to wind power. However, despite misconceptions, Scotland also has potential for sun-loving renewables too. The data clearly show that there's plenty of sunshine to meet a significant proportion of an average family's electricity needs for most months of the year - even during some of the winter months. With hundreds of thousands of roofs, it would make sense to tap more of the sun's power."
SNP MSP Rob Gibson welcomed the findings and said: "Last year really was a massive year for renewable energy; these are very welcome figures which demonstrate that the Scottish Government's commitment to and investment in renewables are paying dividends.
"It is clearer than ever that Scotland's renewable electricity generation will play a key part in keeping the lights on across the UK - and to keeping energy bills down.
"With Scottish Government support our renewables industry is going from strength to strength - bringing jobs and investment to Scotland, reducing carbon emissions and performing a key role in meeting our energy needs. But there is always more that can be done."
