A new record has been set for total wind-power output in Scotland, prompting calls for even more wind farms to be built.

Output in March jumped by over four-fifths compared with March last year, with wind power generating 58% of Scotland’s electricity needs for the month.

While the figures were welcomed by environmentalists, politicians in Scotland have been urged to back onshore wind power if carbon emissions are to be cut in the most cost-effective way (the UK Government is to end its support for onshore wind power).

Analysis by WWF Scotland of data provided by Weather Energy found that turbines in Scotland provided 1,240,095MWh of electricity to the National Grid, enough to supply the electrical needs of 136% of Scottish households or 3.3 million homes — an increase of 81% on March 2016, when wind energy provided 684,632MWh.

The previous highest recorded March output figure was in 2015, when 1,006,018MWh was sent to the grid.

Scotland’s total electricity consumption for last month was 2,146,872MWh. On 17 and 19 March, turbines generated output equivalent to more than the country’s total power needs for each entire day — equivalent to 102% and 130% respectively.

Lang Banks, WWF Scotland’s director, said: “Given that this March wasn’t as windy as it has been in some previous years, this year’s record output shows the importance of continuing to increase capacity by building new wind farms.

“As well as helping to power our homes and businesses, wind power supports thousands of jobs and continues to play an important role in Scotland’s efforts to address global climate change by avoiding millions of tonnes of carbon emissions.

“However, if we’re serious about cutting carbon pollution in the most cost-effective way, then we need every one of the political parties in Scotland to back the continued deployment of onshore wind power.”