Green energy plans to be announced

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The plans include building up to 80 wind turbines on land belonging to the Government agency, which would generate around 200MW of renewable energy and save some 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

Other schemes, including small-scale hydropower projects which would use river water to drive turbines that generate electricity, are also being examined.

The Environment Agency is looking at ways to produce renewable energy to power installations such as major pumping stations, which are among the main contributors to the organisation's carbon footprint.

It is also looking at using the land it owns in England and Wales to develop opportunities to generate electricity for the grid. The wind turbines could generate up to £2.4 million of revenue every year, which the agency said would be ploughed back into protecting the environment.

Speaking ahead of the Environment Agency's annual conference, chief executive Paul Leinster said: "The development of renewable energy will play a major part in the UK's response to climate change and a key role in meeting our future energy needs.

"By developing these renewable energy projects we are helping to limit and adapt to the effects of climate change, reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and help develop a low-carbon economy."

The announcement was welcomed by Climate Change and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who said it would help secure more home grown energy, cut carbon emissions and make financial sense for the Environment Agency.

The agency is working with Partnership for Renewables, a company set up by the Carbon Trust to develop and run green energy projects for the Public Sector.

Robin Oakley, head of Greenpeace UK's climate change campaign said: "In this economic downturn it's increasingly clear that green technology can be a key driver of economic renewal in the UK. The Environment Agency and Partnership for Renewables are demonstrating that green energy makes financial as well as environmental sense."