A record amount of electricity was generated by green energy projects around Scotland during 2013, official figures show.
The latest energy production figures from the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) highlight a total of 17,011 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity from renewable sources north of the border last year, 16.4% more than in 2012.
It means about 46.5% of Scotland’s energy needs in 2013 came from sources such as wind or hydro power.
Wind turbines produced a total of 11,216GWh of electricity last year, the highest amount ever.
The amount of energy from this source was 35.7% higher than in 2012, and more than five times the amount that was produced in 2006.
The Scottish Government said the figures showed it was on track to meet its target of producing 50% of the country’s electricity needs from renewables by 2015, ahead of the target of producing the equivalent of 100% of needs from green sources by 2020.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said energy from renewable sources in Scotland made up around 32% of total UK renewable generation in 2013.
He added: “The Scottish Government’s target is to generate the equivalent of 100% of Scotland’s gross annual electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020, as part of a wider, balanced, energy mix.
“These figures show that renewable generation in Scotland was at a record high last year, meeting around 46% of our electricity demand, and helping keep the lights on across these islands at a time when Ofgem is warning of the ever-tightening gap between peak electricity demand and electricity supply.”
Environmental campaigners and industry leaders also welcomed the figures.
Sam Gardner, head of policy at WWF Scotland, said: “Green electricity is reaping rewards for Scotland, slashing carbon emissions, increasing energy security and delivering jobs and investment.”
“We must maintain this momentum if we are to realise the full potential of our natural resources and tackle climate change.”
Joss Blamire, senior policy manager at the industry body Scottish Renewables, said: “Many people do not realise the massive contribution renewables make to powering our homes and businesses and reducing our carbon emissions.
“These UK Government figures show that, alongside nuclear, renewables are the biggest provider of electricity in the country, with 2013 our best ever year.
“The report goes to show what can be achieved when industry and government work together towards our ambitious 2020 renewable energy targets.”
DECC’s figures also confirmed a previously reported slump in UK North Sea oil production last year, by 8.8%