ScottishPower Renewables has reached an energy milestone with UK wind power now generating over 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Following the completion of a £650 million investment programme to build eight new onshore windfarms, the company now has 40 windfarm projects across the UK, stretching from Cornwall to Caithness in the Highlands.

Welcoming the achievement, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keith Anderson said more onshore wind power is "essential" if the UK Government "is serious about reducing carbon emissions and having enough clean power to support the huge expected growth in electric vehicles".

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"It's now cheaper, easier and faster to build onshore wind," he said.

"In a little over 18 months we have built over 470 MW of onshore wind, delivering enough power for more than 280,000 homes and with it significant environmental and financial benefits for the UK.

"One new onshore wind turbine could power around 7,000 electric vehicles, but we need to act now to meet growing demand."

New analysis by the company reveals that 66% of the total investment in onshore wind has been spent in the UK, and over three quarters of the total UK investment has been spent in Scotland.

Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "Investing in renewables is key to Scotland's transition to a low carbon future. It has not only brought jobs to our communities, and boosted our economy, but it has contributed to the progress of Scotland's world leading climate change targets.

"I am therefore delighted to hear that ScottishPower has now passed the threshold of having installed 2GW of energy capacity from renewable sources. This is a great achievement and I look forward to more GWs of capacity coming on line in the future."

(LM/MH)