Investment in Scotland's renewables energy industry has doubled in 2012 to more than £1.5bn, new figures have shown.

Analysis from Scottish Renewables on new figures published today (Thursday 28 March) by the Department of Energy and Climate Change show that the industry has reached another record high.

Investment reached £1.54bn in 2012 as a result of an additional 1GW (gigawatt) of new projects, bringing Scotland's total installed capacity to 5.8GW. Investment in 2011 was £757m.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change figures also showed record amounts of renewable electricity was generated in 2012, up almost seven per cent from 2011, to more than 14,600 Gigawatt hours – enough to power the equivalent of all the homes in Scotland - according to the Scottish Government.

Mr Joss Blamire, Senior Policy Manager of Scottish Renewables, said:

"It's been another record breaking year for the renewable energy industry in Scotland with more of our electricity being produced by renewable energy sources than ever before, and we've doubled the investment being driven into the Scottish economy in just one year.

"We are on track to be Scotland's main source of electricity by the end of this year.

He continued: "Renewables is now a major part of our energy mix and is a significant part of our economy."