Plans are moving forward for a wind turbine on Hackney Marshes despite proposals being scrapped for another on the Olympic Park. The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced on Thursday (June 3) that it will no longer be building a turbine to the north
Plans are moving forward for a wind turbine on Hackney Marshes despite proposals being scrapped for another on the Olympic Park.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced on Thursday (June 3) that it will no longer be building a turbine to the north of the 2012 site in Eton Manor, Newham, which was meant to provide renewable energy for East London after the Games.
Hackney Council has been considering proposals for a 120-metre-tall turbine on the East Marsh after residents voted in favour of it in a public consultation.
It hoped to buy green energy from the Eton Manor turbine, and said the two together could power most of the borough's night-time street lighting and main council buildings by day.
The ODA's decision to scrap the Eton Manor turbine due to new safety legislation, tight timetables and limited commercial interest has thrown these plans into doubt.
But Hackney Council chiefs have not dropped the idea of a turbine in the borough.
A spokeswoman said: "The council is continuing discussions regarding the proposed wind turbine on East Marsh.
"The decision not to have a turbine on Eton Manor does not affect the viability of the proposal for East Marsh although there will be a reduction in the potential amount of power available overall."
"East Marsh is a different site to Eton Manor and does not present the issues that have, in part, prompted the ODA's decision."
The council must pick a turbine operator which will have to submit a detailed planning application to its planning department.
The ODA is now looking for an alternative source of electricity to meet its 20% renewable energy target to power the Olympic Park after the Games.
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