Scotland generating enough wind energy to power two Scotlands

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Wind turbines in Scotland generated almost twice the entire country’s domestic power requirements In the first six months of the year. “These figures show harnessing Scotland’s plentiful onshore wind potential can provide clean green electricity for millions of homes across not only Scotland, but England as well.” He added: “It’s about time the UK government stepped up and gave Scottish onshore wind a route to market.” Alex Wilcox Brooke, weather energy project manager at Severn Wye Energy Agency said: “These figures really highlight the consistency of wind energy in Scotland and why it now plays a major part in the UK energy market.” The figures released come hot on the heels of the UK enjoying the longest ever period without coal power. Last year Scottish Power became the first major UK energy firm to completely drop fossil fuels in favour of wind power, after selling off its remaining gas and hydro stations to Drax for £702m. In April, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said more needed to be done to create employment in the renewable energy sector after a Scottish Trades Union Congress report found a drop in the number of jobs in the onshore wind sector, with the total down by 400 between 2014 and 2017.