Scottish Power pushes for more support for onshore wind farms
Scottish Power Renewables has called on the UK government to back further development of onshore wind farms in Scotland. The company has completed a £650m ($875m) infrastructure project and seeks increased support from regulators and politicians to further develop the industry and keep pace with increasing demand. "It's now cheaper, easier and faster to build onshore wind," commented Keith Anderson, the CEO of Scottish Power Renewables. "If the UK government is serious about reducing carbon emissions and having enough clean power to support the huge expected growth in electric vehicles, then more onshore wind is essential."

ScottishPower has called for political support to develop more onshore wind farms after hitting a record high of power from the sector.

After the completion of a £650m infrastructure project, Scottish Power Renewables has passed the 2000 megawatt (MW) UK milestone.

The company has now called for politicians and regulators to back the development of the industry in Scotland in order to keep up with an anticipated increase in demand.

Keith Anderson, chief executive of Scottish Power Renewables, said: "It's now cheaper, easier and faster to build onshore wind.

"In a little over 18 months we have built over 470 megawatts of onshore wind, delivering enough power for more than 280,000 homes and with it significant environmental and financial benefits for the UK.

"If the UK Government is serious about reducing carbon emissions and having enough clean power to support the huge expected growth in electric vehicles, then more onshore wind is essential."

He added: "One new onshore wind turbine could power around 7000 electric vehicles but we need to act now to meet growing demand."

Analysis from the firm shows 66% of investment in onshore wind has been spent in the UK and more than three-quarters of the total UK investment has been spent in Scotland.

Scottish Government minister for business, innovation and energy Paul Wheelhouse said: "Investing in renewables is key to Scotland's transition to a low carbon future.

"It has not only brought jobs to our communities, and boosted our economy, but it has contributed to the progress of Scotland's world leading climate change targets."

A spokesman for the UK's department for business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS) said: "The UK is a global leader in tackling climate change and the UK Government's latest auction for renewable technologies secured projects set to deliver over three gigawatts of electricity, enough to power 3.6 million homes.

"We're committed to supporting the development of onshore wind projects in the remote islands of Scotland and will set out our plans shortly.

"And by setting long-term targets, like the one to end the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040, we can ensure the grid is ready for the mass transition to cleaner technologies."