Wind cuts carbon

UK WIND farms reduced the amount of carbon dioxide blown into the atmosphere by almost 11 million tonnes between April 2011 and September 2012, according to the latest statistics.

At the same time, Scotland’s three main power stations using fossil fuels at Peterhead, Longannet and Cockenzie have cut their emissions by around 35 per cent.

The figures, released by National Grid and the Department of Energy and Climate Change, are due to be debated in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

Ahead of the debate, Scottish Renewables chief executive Niall Stuart said:

“National Grid’s latest figures show that the renewables sector in Scotland is responsible for displacing millions of tonnes of carbon emissions, on top of providing thousands of jobs and over a billion of pounds in investment into our economy.”

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks added: “These figures completely explode the myth that renewables don’t help cut climate emissions.

“Alongside improved energy efficiency, renewables are the safest, cleanest and most cost-effective to help eliminate the polluting emissions that come from our power sector.

“Scotland is absolutely right to be aiming to secure 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources.”