Scotland should set an ambitious new target of generating 50% of its electricity, heat and transport demand from renewables by 2030.

That’s the call from trade body Scottish Renewabes in a manifesto launched today ahead of May’s Scottish Parliament election.

The ‘Renewed Ambitions: Defining the Future of Renewable Energy in Scotland’ sets out how the Scotland’s next government can best support the growth of green sector in the nation.

Meeting the new goal would require a threefold increase in green energy generation, it added.

It also suggests to expand community and local ownership of renewable energy projects and increase the use of the country’s onshore and offshore renewable resources.

The document also recommends transforming the heat sector by accelerating the uptake of renewable and low-carbon heat.

Niall Stuart CEO of Scottish Renewables said: “Renewables now produce the equivalent of 15% of Scotland’s energy use across electricity, heat and transport. Achieving this new target will require strategic leadership from the next Scottish Government. The development of a comprehensive and joined-up energy strategy will allow the sector to maintain its competitiveness as well as spearheading the development and deployment of new technologies.

“Not only will these measures support growth in the next chapter of our industry, they will ensure that renewables can play a key role in meeting Scotland’s climate change targets and maximise the jobs and investment that our sector can bring to Scotland.”