Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / MANCHESTER
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

Thursday, 28 September 2006, 15:37 GMT 16:37 UK

City stadium turbine plan backed

Artist's impression of turbine The City of Manchester stadium is set to become the first in the world to be powered by its own wind turbine.

Manchester City Football Club has been granted planning permission to erect an 85m (279ft) turbine, which will also generate power for nearby homes.

The structure, designed by Sir Norman Foster, will be one of the UK's largest land-based turbines and should dwarf the nearby B Of The Bang sculpture.

Manchester City Council said it would be operational in 2007.

Planning spokesman Neil Swannick described the development as "an iconic statement of Manchester's commitment to renewable energy".

"The club's new green electricity supply won't be costing any more than it's old supply - actually it will cost less"
Dale Vince, Ecotricity

"East Manchester has a long history of energy production, it is therefore fitting that the area is pioneering the provision of renewable energy in the city," he said.

Pete Bradshaw, the club's social responsibility manager, said: "The wind turbine provides an exciting opportunity to help the club and the city achieve significant carbon emission reductions."

The three-bladed turbine, provided by independent power company Ecotricity, will produce about two megawatts of electricity.

Dale Vince, managing director of Ecotricity, said: "The club's new green electricity supply won't be costing any more than it's old supply - actually it will cost less."

The blade tip of the turbine will reach 120m (394ft), while the nearby B Of The Bang sculpture stands 59m (194ft) tall.

Manchester's latest addition to its skyline - the Beetham Tower - climbs to 168.87m (554ft).



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Spikes taken off Bang sculpture (15 May 06 |  Manchester )
Council talks on 'stadium power' (14 Sep 05 |  Manchester )
Football club 'powered by wind' (03 Aug 05 |  Manchester )
Sportcity visitor centre opening (24 Jul 05 |  Manchester )
Wind turbines on city tower block (04 Jul 05 |  Manchester )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Ecotricity
Manchester City Football Club
Wind power
Action Network - wind energy
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©