Talking-up Scotland

(c) JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images

From, of course, Insider, today:

‘Scotland saw the highest percentage growth in overall independent renewable project numbers across Great Britain…. The 1,213 independent renewable projects – those outside of the traditional energy supply sector – in Scotland have a total capacity of just under 3 gigawatts (GW). Together they generate electricity worth around £350m and are able to power more than 2.1m homes…. Scotland saw the highest percentage growth in overall independent renewable project numbers across Great Britain, with a rise of 10.7%. Its 21.7% share of total GB independent renewable generation capacity means it continues to punch significantly above its weight given its relative population size.’

https://www.insider.co.uk/news/smartestenergy-renewables-scotland-energy-projects-12453930

Not mentioned in Insider, the situation in England is quite different. See:

‘Growth in independent renewable energy projects has slumped to its lowest level in years as government subsidies have fallen away.’

https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/renewable-energy-projects-uk-government-funding-feed-in-tariffs-a8331276.html

It’s been a wee while since I’ve been able to use the ‘only 8% of the population but..’ headline. Here are some earlier ones:

Still 8% of the population but now 30% of UK food and drink exports?

8% of the UK population and 28% of living wage employers. More evidence that we are different enough to want to run the whole show?

With only 8% of the population, Scotland’s maritime sector accounts for 25% of the UK maritime sector’s (GVA) contribution to the economy and is 17.5% more productive than the UK marine oil and gas sector. Once more, too wee, too poor?

Once again, it’s the ‘8% of the UK population but much more of something good’ meme. This time it’s 33% of employee-owned firms in the UK

Sometimes the figures go the other way, for a good reason:

8% of the population but only 4% of the Tory MPs in the UK