The Green Party’s mayoral candidate Sian Berry has announced plans to set up a new renewable energy company that will operate as a subsidiary of the UK’s Transport for London (TfL).
The proposal, which is part of the party’s 2015 London Mayor campaign, aims to reverse government attacks on solar power by setting out clear plans for a major expansion of renewable technology across London.
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The London Energy Company would help the city to source 20% of its electricity needs from solar power alone.
By investing in other renewable technologies, the company is expected to deliver at least 30% of London’s energy needs from zero or low-carbon sources by 2030.
Sian Berry said: "There is huge potential in London for a wide range of low and zero-carbon technologies to be used to generate heat and electricity from the sun, wind, ground and air using heat pumps, gas created from waste, and from London’s tides and river flows."
The clean electricity generated will be used to power Crossrails operations.
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By GlobalDataThe company would install solar panels across its own 5,700-acre estate of stations, depots, offices, other commercial units and Brownfield sites, as well as on large commercial roof spaces across the capital and on solar farms on London’s fringe.
It will generate low-cost renewable energy from a variety of sources, by partnering with community groups, the public sector and businesses.
TfL will develop the company by reducing its energy costs, freeing up more money for investment in infrastructure and services, as well as reducing household energy bills.
Berry added: "Transport for London is already becoming a property developer with its own land to shore up its finances.
"We believe it should also become an energy developer. As with the property development, a Green Mayor would ensure it balances revenue generation with wider social and environmental objectives, in this case, increasing renewable energy generation and supplying low-cost energy to Londoners."
According to the figures released by Greenpeace UK, 0.5% of its 3.4 million homes use solar power to meet their electricity demands.
Image: The proposed London Energy Company will help city to source 20% of its electricity needs from solar power alone. Photo: courtesy of maya picture / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
