Islington Council will be one of two London councils to push the boundary and harness wind power to provide energy in council homes. The energy may be used to help light the communal hall way, pump water, power the electrical security system or ventilation for the residential block of flats.The council's South Area Planning Sub-Committee made this possible on last week after it gave the thumbs up for a 12 metre high wind turbine to be placed on Kestrel House, Pickard Street near Clerkenwell. The turbine will generate 10 per cent of the block's electricity. Councillor Terry Stacy, Islington Council's Executive Member for Housing and Communities, said: "Islington Council is becoming a leading authority when it comes to making use of wind energy. The Kestrel House turbine will be the third turbine the council has put up in the last eight months."Wind turbines are one way to make Islington greener - but they must be backed up by other actions. That's why we've brought together organisations from all over Islington in the Climate Change Partnership and together we've set ourselves a tough target to cut our carbon emissions by 15 per cent by 2010. We're leading by example and are pleased with the progress we're making."
Islington Council wrote to Kestrel House tenants and those in neighbouring properties before it submitted the application to explain how the turbine works and what the potential benefits for those living in the block. The council and Homes for Islington will work together to install and manage the wind turbine. Earlier this year Islington Council installed the first turbine at Islington Ecology Centre, which was already a low energy building fitted with sun pipes, a wind-catcher, and solar hot water panels. The wind turbine helps to make the building completely self sufficient for its electricity needs.Three months ago a second wind turbine was installed on the roof of the council's Municipal Offices in Upper Street, N1. This powers the council's fleet of electric vehicles.
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