Half of Scotland's energy needs will be met by renewables by 2030, the Scottish Government has said.

Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse announced the new target at Holyrood as part of the administration's draft energy strategy.

Last week, the Scottish Government said it would aim to reduce greenhouse gasses by 66% by 2032.

Scotland achieved its previous greenhouse gas emission targets six years early.

Launching a consultation on the plans, Wheelhouse said: "By the end of 2015 we had seen the largest annual increase in renewable heat output since measurement began, up by more than 1100 gigawatt hours in a single year.

"In 2015, Scotland produced enough heat from renewable sources to meet between 5.3% and 5.6% of non-electrical heat demand.

"We can all take pride in such successes, however, it's clear that more progress will be required, particularly in the supply of low carbon heat and transport, if we are to remain on track to meet our ambitious climate change goals."

He added: "To maintain momentum, a new 2030 all energy renewables target is proposed in our energy strategy, setting an ambitious challenge to deliver the equivalent of half of Scotland's energy requirements for heat, transport and electricity from renewable energy sources."

The announcement was welcomed by the Scottish Greens. The party called for a 50% renewable energy target in their 2016 Holyrood manifesto.

Scottish Greens' energy spokesman Mark Ruskell said: "At the end of last year, other Holyrood parties blocked our proposal to set a target of Scotland producing half of all the energy it consumes from clean, renewable sources so this news, ensuring that the Scottish Greens' manifesto commitment is met, is particularly welcome.

"There is now no barrier to banning fracking in Scotland - let's get on with it.

"Warming our homes affordably and with low carbon power is a priority. But the Scottish Government's targets don't make sense.

"There's too much trust in a technological miracle in the future and not enough action on fuel poverty today."

Holyrood's three other opposition parties, the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats, also backed the renewable energy target.

Environmental campaigning group WWF Scotland said they were "delighted" by the new target.

Gina Hanrahan, the group's climate and energy policy officer, said: "The new all energy target sends a strong message to business and industry, both here and globally, that Scotland plans to build on its amazing progress on renewable electricity in the heat and transport sectors.

"A transformation in how we heat our homes and offices, how we travel to work and school, and how we power our industries will generate many social and economic benefits."