By Ritesh Gupta

Trade body Scottish Renewables said the rise illustrated that independent electricity generators were increasingly taking their energy future into their own hands.

More than £66m was invested in independent, commercial-scale renewable electricity schemes in Scotland in 2013, generating around £234m worth of electricity, up from £191m in 2012.

As per the information available, onshore wind accounts for 45% of all independent generation. It has also been shared that the £11.5m Loch Carnan Community Windfarm is generating profits for reinvestment in South Uist, Benbecula and Eriskay by Stòras Uibhist, the community company which led Scotland’s biggest land buyout in 2006. This year, the wind farm is expected to generate £2m gross revenue for the island community.

The project is one of a growing number of independent renewable electricity generation schemes, which are now powering the equivalent of a million homes across Scotland.