Olympic wind turbine plan scrapped

Plans for a landmark Olympic wind turbine on the London 2012 site have been scrapped over changes to construction rules.


The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) planned the turbine for Eton Manor to the north of the east London site.

ODA chief executive, David Higgins, said new ‘wider safety legislation’ applied to the design of the turbine.

This meant the design of an the internal lift needed to be changed leading the designers to pull out, according to Mr Higgins.

He said: “We have carried out an exhaustive process with the industry and suppliers over the last two years to find a viable way of delivering a wind turbine on the Olympic Park site.

“However, the industry environment has changed and that means the project is no longer feasible.

“We have a strong track record in sustainability and we remain committed to meeting the challenging renewable energy targets we have set ourselves.

“Our focus is now on researching a number of alternative renewable energy options across the Olympic Park site to help contribute to these targets and compliment the other state-of-the art new energy infrastructure we are building.”

Mr Higgins added that photo volatic panels and a biomass gasification unit, were among replacement schemes being considered.

The wind turbine was part of the ODA’s target to deliver 20% of the Olympic Park’s legacy energy requirements from renewable sources from 2014.

Luke Walsh

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