Many European countries have been making headway in their clean energy accomplishments that aim to combat climate change but it appears that Scotland stands out as their impressive leader. A study conducted by the WWF projected that Scotland’s power supply will be sourced entirely from renewable energy and will be free of fossil fuel and nuclear dependency by 2030.

This objective will be attained by the Scottish government by using the combination of increasing renewable energy development and reducing energy demand.

Renewable energy to power 100% of Scotland by 2030

The government of Scotland faces many challenges in pursuing this goal, although renewable energy are already a major source of the country’s electricity, and it boasts of a long and aggressive history of clean energy innovation.

This country’s status as a leader in renewable energy is even punctuated by recent milestones. For instance, in November 2014, 100 per cent of the country’s domestic energy needs were supplied by wind turbines.

The following month, December 2014, wind turbines outdid themselves by supplying a remarkable 164 per cent of the country electricity needs.

Meanwhile, in June and July of 2014, solar power enabled Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness to supply more than 100 per cent of the electricity needs of the average home.

Scotland continues to develop renewable energy industry within the country

By continuing to pursue its objective of being entirely free of fossil fuel by 2030, Scotland will solidify its position as the European leader in renewable energy. It would continue to cut its emissions, stimulate increasing investments and open more employment opportunities for its citizens.

Following in its footsteps, other European countries are also aggressively pursuing their renewable energy goals and making considerable progress as well. EcoWatch reported that they have also made a few records along the way. Here are some of the accomplishments made by some of European countries in recent times:

United Kingdom

In 2014, the supply of electricity coming from wind turbines increased by 15 per across the United Kingdom. It means that wind power is now supplying electricity to about 25 per cent of UK households. That is about 6.7 million households.

Ireland

This country has just started using wind power and yet is has maximized its windy conditions resulting in the smashing of 2 national records. Wind energy output increased to a record high of 1,872 megawatts on January 1.

A week later on January 7, sustained winds generated 1,942 megawatts, enough to supply electricity to 1.26 million homes. This country boasts of 188 wind farms nationwide, currently employing more than 3,400 people. Clean energy is an important cog in this country’s economy.

Germany

Being Europe’s economic powerhouse, it is fitting that Germany is experiencing an energy revolution. Its output of clean energy has dramatically increased by 800 per cent. By 2014, almost 24% of Germany’s electricity came from clean sources.

Denmark

Denmark has long been a wind power country. It installed its first turbines back in the mid-‘70s. By 2014, the country continued to break records. It set a world record by generating 39.1 per cent of the country’s overall electricity from wind.

Denmark has a goal of transitioning to 100% renewables by 2050 and is already on its way to getting 50% of its power from renewables by 2020.

Photo courtesy of the Scottish Government on Flickr