Oct 13 2006
The turbine - to be located at Eton Manor in the North of the Olympic Park site in East London - will play a key role in delivering renewable energy to the Olympic Park and be a visible symbol of London 2012's commitment to deliver its goal of staging the most sustainable ever Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
The proposed turbine will provide the energy equivalent to supplying 1200 homes over an average year. Construction is expected to start in Spring 2008 subject to planning permission. It would be fully operational by 2010 at the latest, providing new renewable energy nearly two years before the Games.
The turbine will have a total height of 120 metres (an 80m turbine with 40m high blades). The turbine will stay on the site after the Games and will be used to power local amenities and housing over its lifespan of 20 years.
The turbine is one of many green energy technologies under consideration by the ODA in order to maximise the amount of renewable energy on site. These include solar power, ground water cooling, small scale hydro/tidal power, biomass and a Combined Cooling and Heating Plant (CCHP).
ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said:
'We want to make use of as many innovative renewable technologies as possible to power the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and will be looking to industry to provide us with creative solutions in the months ahead.
'The wind turbine on the Olympic Park will be a symbol of the sustainability principles behind the Games. As the first large scale wind turbine so close to Central London it will also act as a "green" beacon for the Capital.'
London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Sebastian Coe said:
'The wind turbine will be a dramatic and iconic feature of the Olympic Park. It will provide a visible statement of our intent to make the Games as sustainable as possible, and is a significant part of our overall strategy and commitment to minimising the carbon footprint of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.'
Sports Minister Richard Caborn said:
'The Government is committed to working with Olympic and Paralympic partners to ensure that the Games are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable, leaving a long term legacy for the Lower Lea Valley and the UK as a whole. Climate change is one of the five themes identified in the Sustainability Policy published in July where the Games can make the biggest impact and leave a lasting legacy. Promoting renewable energy is an important element in working to combat climate change in line with the Government's commitments in 'Securing the Future'.'
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said:
'We always said that the 2012 Games would be the most environmentally friendly ever and the wind turbine is the first step of many towards delivering on our commitment. I am determined that London will lead the way in tackling climate change and I am setting tough but achievable renewable energy targets for the way all new buildings are constructed in the capital.'
WWF Chief Executive Robert Napier said:
'Greatly reducing carbon emissions and the climate impact of the London Games and their legacy is a crucial component of London 2012's programme of work towards a sustainable One Planet Olympics. WWF-UK and BioRegional support the proposed urban wind turbine as part of London's broader Olympic energy plan. The London Games and legacy development must minimise energy demand from buildings, infrastructure and transport and meet its energy needs using the most sustainable options.'