First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced £10 million per year is being generated for Scottish communities due to renewable energy projects.

Speaking at the Scottish Green Energy Awards, Ms Sturgeon said the figures highlighted the Scottish Government's commitment to renewable energy.

The £10m figure was recorded during the latest update of the Community Benefit Register, which records the income communities receive from renewable energy projects.

These range form large scale wind farms to small farm and community projects.

The First Minister said: "Our national guidance has encouraged developers to increase the value of the community benefits they offer. Communities across Scotland are now receiving over £10 million a year from onshore renewable projects. That figure is set to rise.

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"Local energy now helps to fund energy efficiency schemes, fuel poverty alleviation programmes and befriending projects which reduce isolation for elderly people. They meet local priorities because they are run by local communities."

However, Ms Sturgeon warned that recent cuts on support for renewable energy by the UK Government will make further increasing the benefits more difficult.

"I've been left astonished by the UK Government's decision to cut its subsidies to renewables," she said.

"And that frustration must be compounded when you see the UK Government tying itself to a very expensive 35 year contract for nuclear generation – when it could be supporting new renewable technology whose costs will continue to come down over time.

"It's deeply disappointing that when countries should be looking at greener, cleaner alternatives, the UK Government continues to rely on gas and nuclear. It is going backwards on energy policy when it should be taking a lead.

"Although UK government policy does not always make it easy, I can guarantee that we will continue to give the renewable sector the support it needs in order to innovate and succeed."

(LM/CD)