New London Mayor targets clean energy tube network
Mayor Sadiq Khan, is in the process of securing a licence to provide “clean energy” for London tube stations.
The New Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is in the process of securing a licence to provide “clean energy” for London tube stations.
The new type of junior electricity supply licence, known as a “licence lite”, will allow City Hall to buy energy from small, low and zero carbon energy generators, which can then be sold directly to the public sector at competitive prices.
The Greater London Authority is planning to purchase the clean electricity from a generator panel covering five London boroughs, social housing provider Peabody and energy companies Scottish and Southern Energy and Vital Energy.
It will be used to help power escalators and ventilation systems in tube stations, offices and other facilities.
The scheme is designed to help London generate more of its own energy in a cleaner way, whilst creating £300 million of additional investment by 2021, 160 permanent operating jobs and 1,650 short term construction jobs.
Since his appointment in May, Mr. Khan has been active in tackling environmental and air pollution issues, including plans to expand London’s use of solar power, pedestrianise Oxford Street by 2020 and expand Ultra Low Emission Zones.
Mr.Khan said: "I want my daughters and every Londoner to grow up in a city that is cleaner and greener, in which people aren’t dying because the air is so filthy… And I want London to be at the cutting edge of new green technologies, generating the growth and jobs of the future.”
Mr. Khan has also just been elected as Vice Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Steering Committee, the governing body that provides strategic direction for the C40 network of megacities committed to action on climate change.
The appointment will see the mayor representing cities across Europe at C40 regional forums, as well as on the global stage.
C40 Chair and Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes said of Mr. Khan’s appointment: “On behalf of all C40 members, it is my great pleasure to welcome Mayor Khan as our newest Steering Committee member. London was the founding city of C40 and has always been a vital member of the network. Mayor Khan’s strong commitment to action on climate change and bold ambitions for London will make him an invaluable leader within C40.”
