Olympic Park Wind Turbine Plan Shelved

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has decided against building a wind turbine on the Olympic Park site in east London.

The ODA has insisted, however, that it remains committed to its sustainability targets and work is now underway to identify alternative options for renewable energy infrastructure across the Olympic Park.

The proposed turbine, which was to be located in Eton Manor in the north of the site, was part of the ODA’s target to deliver 20% of the Olympic Park’s legacy energy requirements from renewable sources from 2014 onwards when the site is fully operational.

According to the ODA, however, new safety rules and design changes meant the turbine was no longer feasible.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins 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," he said.

The ODA is now looking at alternative methods to meet targets. Options include photo voltaic solar panels and a biomass gasification unit as sources of renewable energy at the site.

(NS/GK)