By Renewable Energy Focus staff

Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, says: "The opening of the Arecleoch and Mark Hill wind farms here in South Ayrshire is a significant milestone for ScottishPower Renewables. It also underlines both the rapid progress Scotland has made in clean energy generation and our industry's leading role in the wider development of a genuinely low-carbon economy across Europe.

"There are some 7 GW of renewables capacity currently installed, under construction or consented around Scotland, enabling us to exceed our target of meeting 31% of our electricity use in 2011 from renewables.”

Ignacio Galán, Chairman of Iberdrola and Iberdrola Renewables, adds: "For ScottishPower Renewables, [13 June] is an especially satisfying day, because we have reached the '1000 MW mark' in wind energy generation. This clearly shows our commitment to clean energy and sustainable development in Scotland".