Scotland saw a “record increase” in the amount of heat generated by renewable sources last year.

New figures published yesterday revealed the nation saw a 36% rise in 2014.

It also estimated more than 1GW of renewable heat capacity was in operation in Scotland in 2014, accounting for 3.8% of the total non-electrical heat demand.

The capacity of micro renewable heat generating systems installed also grew by a third last year and the number of micro systems operational by the end of 2014 was more than 9,600.

The report, covering heat from ground and air heat pumps, biomass, waste and solar thermal, is used to measure the progress of the Scottish Government’s target of generating 11% of heat from renewables by 2020.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “I am pleased 2014 has seen the biggest step change in heat demand generated from renewable sources, a significant step forward to decarbonising heating.

“There is however continuing uncertainty about the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which the UK Government have not commitment to beyond March 2016. We will continue to press for commitment to the long term sustainability of the RHI beyond next year to provide confidence for funders and stimulate investment in renewable heat technologies.”