October 30, 2006—The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) recently announced that London’s Olympic Games in 2012 will get electricity from a giant wind turbine, 120 meters tall, which will be a visible symbol of London 2012’s commitment to stage the most sustainable Olympic Games and Paralympic Games ever. Organizers hope it will become a lasting symbol of the city, as well.
The proposed turbine will provide 5% of the electricity used by the stadium—the energy equivalent to supplying 1200 homes for a year, says the ODA. It will be Britain ‘s second tallest turbine, behind 126-meter tall Ness Point, in Suffolk.
Construction is expected to start in spring 2008 so that the turbine will be fully operational by 2010, providing new renewable energy nearly two years before the Games. After the Games the turbine will be used to power local amenities and housing over its lifespan of 20 years.
The turbine is reportedly one of many green energy technologies under consideration by the ODA in order to maximize 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).
For more information visit London 2012.
