An increasing number of food and drink companies in Scotland are running on renewable energy, according to a trade body.

Scottish Renewables is highlighting 12 firms using technologies such as wind, solar, biomass and hydro as part of its new ‘Made in Scotland from Renewables’ initiative. It will be launched at the Royal Highland Show, the nation’s annual farming and countryside showcase, which kicks off today.

Farmlay Eggs (pictured) in Aberdeenshire is one of the companies that use renewable energy sources, including  two wind turbines with a total capacity of 1,150MW and a 950KW biomass plant.

Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables said: “This is a great initiative involving two modern-day Scottish success stories – renewable energy and the food and drink sector.

Mr Stuart added: “There are four persuasive reasons why these food businesses are moving to renewable generation; to lower their energy costs in the future, to reduce their carbon footprint, to potentially generate income – and because consumers are increasingly conscious of the environmental credentials of everything they buy.”

The food and drink industry is expected to be worth £16.5 billion to the Scottish economy by 2017.