A new report has revealed Scotland experienced its largest ever increase in renewable heat output in 2015.

In its 'Renewable Heat in Scotland, 2015' study, the Energy Saving Trust revealed heat output rose by over 1,100GWh over the year, the largest annual increase since measurement began in 2008.

In addition, the country generated an estimated 5.3% to 5.6% of its non-electrical heat demand from renewable sources, based on three possible heat demand scenarios.

It is thought the majority of the increase in output has come from large commercial sites installing biomass and combined heat and power systems, as well as installations supported by the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive.


Renewable heat capacity in homes, such as small-scale biomass and heat pumps, also rose 44% between 2014 and 2015.

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said while the record-breaking figures are "encouraging", he urged against complacency as heat makes up around 47% of Scotland's carbon emissions.

"They (the data) show that programmes such as the District Heating Loan Scheme, the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme and the Home Energy Scotland renewables loans scheme are inspiring people to harness renewable energy to heat their homes and their businesses," he said.

"These and our other programmes support the uptake of the GB wide Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, in which Scotland continues to punch above its weight.

"We have a target of 11% of non-electrical heat demand from renewable sources by 2020 and while these figures show we are making great progress in both reducing our demand for heat and increasing the output of renewable heat we need to do more."

(LM)