Scotland sets renewables generation record

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EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The Scottish government said Thursday it set a record in terms of electricity generated through renewable resources.

Edinburgh said figures from the British Department of Energy and Climate Change show it generated 15.2 percent more electricity from renewable energy during the first three quarters of 2012 than during the same period last year.

"These figures show that renewable energy in Scotland is going from strength to strength, confirming that 2011 was a record year for generation in Scotland and that 2012 looks set to be even better," Scottish Energy Fergus Ewing said in a statement.

Scotland has one of the most ambitious renewable energy targets in the world with a goal of 100 percent electricity from green energy sources by 2020.

This week, the government said it secured more than $12 million from French, Norwegian and Swiss backers for a commercial-scale tidal energy project.

DECC figures released Thursday indicate Scottish energy consumption for the first three quarters of the year was down more than 6 percent compared to a 2005-07 baseline.