Wind of change for energy

More than a quarter of Scotland's electricity now comes from renewable energy sources, according to official statistics.

Energy generated by wind, wave and solar power increased by a fifth last year and now accounts for 27 per cent of the nation's energy consumption.

Energy-efficiency drives are also thought to have accounted for a four per cent drop in the amount of power consumed.

Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "Scotland is blessed with abundant natural energy sources and these figures follow a trend towards Scotland's energy becoming greener and cleaner.

"Green energy developments are now feeding ever greater amounts of green power into the grid. WWF Scotland said that with the right political commitment, Scotland could be 100 per cent powered by renewable energy sources by 2020."