The amount of energy generated by renewable sources in Scotland reached record levels last year, according to official data.

Statistics published by the UK Government showed a year-on-year increase of 26% in 2017.

Most of the increase was attributed to greater onshore wind capacity, but the data also showed that by the end of 2017, just over 10GW of installed renewables capacity was operational in Scotland.

It is estimated that the equivalent of 68.1% of gross electricity consumption in Scotland came from renewable sources, up 14.1%.

Scotland’s energy minister, Paul Wheelhouse, said the figures demonstrated that the renewables industry was “stronger than ever”.

He said: “Scotland’s energy strategy recognises — and builds on — our achievements to date and on our country’s capacity for innovation.

"Renewable energy will play a hugely significant role in powering Scotland’s future, and we want to ensure that the correct strategic decisions are taken to support this much-valued sector of Scotland’s economy as it goes from strength to strength.”

Claire Mack, chief executive of industry body Scottish Renewables, said: “These figures show Scotland as a renewable-energy powerhouse, producing more electricity than ever and transferring much of it to markets in the rest of Great Britain — all the time reducing the carbon emissions from our power sector.”