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Last Updated: Tuesday, 30 August 2005, 06:47 GMT 07:47 UK
City Hall's solar scheme boosted
City Hall
City Hall is one of number of projects to receive a grant
London's iconic City Hall has been given a cash boost of more than a quarter-of-a-million pounds to add solar panels to its curved roof.

It is one of a number of London projects to receive a portion of more than �500,000 of government money for renewable energy schemes.

Others to benefit include a school and office and housing complexes.

Since 2002, �20m has been distributed under the Solar Photovoltaics Major Demonstration Programme.

The grants were announced by energy minister Malcolm Wicks on Tuesday.

Solar projects given grants
City Hall, South Bank - �270,757
Crown Estates, Regent Street - �57,948
Presentation Housing Association Ltd, Consort Road, Peckham - �23,615
Octavia Housing and Care, Kensal Road, Kensal Town - �122,744
Costain Engineering and Construction Ltd, Acton High School - �45, 702
Shoreditch Trust, Shoreditch Canalside Workspace - �33,658
Ashburton Learning Village, Croydon - �106,946
Hillview Ltd Commercial units, Croydon - �52,371

He said: "Solar is a clean, green energy source that the government is supporting through this funding programme and which we will continue to support in future with the Low Carbon Building strategy currently being developed."

The programme aims to help the Government reach its target of 10% renewable energy in the UK by 2010.

The grants are distributed by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

London's mayor Ken Livingstone said: "The decision of the Energy Saving Trust and the Department of Trade and Industry to back this project at City Hall with a grant is extremely welcome and sends a strong signal encouraging the use of renewable technologies.

"I want London to take the lead in applying renewable energy technologies and if we can install photovoltaic panels at the heart of London government, this will be a symbolic and important step forward."




SEE ALSO:
Solar companies fear grants fall
17 Mar 05 |  Science/Nature


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