The Scottish Government said Scotland is on track for a record year of renewable electricity generation, with output in the first three quarters of 2017 19% greater than the same period in 2016, and 10% greater than the same period in 2015 – the previous record year.

Holyrood said new figures published by the UK Government show that Scotland continues to lead the way in renewables, delivering the equivalent of 54% of Scotland’s gross electricity consumption in 2016.

Further, renewables accounted for a record 42.9% of total Scottish electricity generation in 2016.

Scotland generated approximately 24% of total UK renewable electricity in 2016 and continued to be a strong net exporter of electricity.

Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse published Scotland’s first Energy Strategy this week.

The strategy includes a £20 million Energy Investment Fund, which will build on the work of the Renewable Energy Investment Fund, and a £60 million Low Carbon Innovation Fund, to provide dedicated support for renewable and low carbon infrastructure.

Wheelhouse said: “Today’s very encouraging statistics show that Scotland is on track for a record year of renewable electricity generation, and that our renewable energy sector is stronger than ever.

“This reflects our commitment to clean, green energy investment, and we will continue to support the renewable energy sector to grow further in Scotland.

“Yesterday, I published our Energy Strategy setting out Scotland’s Energy Future for the period to 2030 and beyond.

“The strategy recognises and builds on our achievements to date and on Scotland’s capacity for innovation.

“We are leading the way in promoting community and locally owned renewable energy – well ahead of the rest of the UK – and these figures are further proof of that.

“The future for renewable energy is bright in Scotland and these figures show that well over 50% of our electricity consumption was delivered by renewables and we now know capacity and generation figures for the first three quarters of 2017 are very strong.

“A low carbon economy is not just a practical way forward and renewable energy affects a very large share of our greenhouse gas emissions, but Scotland’s clean, green energy resources are now playing an increasingly crucial role in the security of Scotland’s energy supply.”