The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is set to join the green elite with a huge new phase in its green programme, which will help to cut its carbon footprint by 1,900 tonnes from 1990 levels.
Contracts have been awarded to four companies who will kit out 16 London fire stations with green energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which has provided funding for earlier Brigade schemes, believes this is the UK's largest public sector project.
Added to a number of turbines and solar panels already in place, and specialised schemes that are currently in the planning and design phase, LFB could soon have 13 solar installations and eight wind turbines providing energy to its premises. Solar thermal and CHP systems will also be widely used to provide hot water.
The news comes hot on the heels of the Brigade scooping the top sustainability award at a prestigious London ceremony earlier this year.
The Brigade is set to have met its ambitious target of cutting carbon emissions – its carbon footprint – by up to 1,900 tonnes from 1990 levels by 2010 at the latest. As part of this, boilers and light fittings are being replaced and recycling is now an intrinsic part of Brigade life. Additionally, fire engines are also being replaced to meet low emission zone targets.
LFB has contracted Galliford Try to install wind turbines, Solarcentury to install photovoltaic (solar) cell systems, Riomay to install solar thermal systems and BTU will put CHP systems into eight stations. Some stations will be receiving a range of installations and the Brigade's consultant is in discussions with local authorities to ensure all planning requirements are properly met.
The programme is being funded from a dedicated sustainability reserve of £4.4 million and plans are being prepared to kit out a further 20 fire stations with renewable technologies.
Val Shawcross, chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which manages LFB, said: “This is more great news for the Authority and I hope it will act as a spur to other organisations yet to start blazing the green trail.
“We take our responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint very seriously. We have some way to go before we can say we are a truly sustainable organisation, but are making big strides and remain committed to supporting the battle against climate change.”
Energy Minister, Lord Truscott said: “The Government wants to see more microgeneration in the UK and is working hard to develop the sector for both industry and consumers.
“The LFB project is exactly the kind of initiative we want to see more of, and they are to be applauded. It is also pleasing to note the positive funding role played by the DTI’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme which has been much in the news lately.”
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