The Queen is turning green after deciding to power Windsor Castle using power generated by the River Thames.
Underground cables will carry electricity directly to the Berkshire castle - the world's largest inhabited castle - from hydroelectric turbines at the river’s Romney Weir.
And any unused power will be sold by the Queen back to the National Grid to help pay the castle's bills.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: ‘We are keen to continue with generating our own renewable energy from this scheme. The hope is that the project will be built by the end of the year and generating power soon after.’
The green Queen who's powered by the Thames
By Charlotte Griffiths
17th July 2011
Daily Mail
The Queen is planning to reduce her carbon footprint at Windsor Castle by using power generated by the nearby River Thames.
Underground cables will carry electricity directly to the castle from hydroelectric turbines at the river’s Romney Weir.
As well as improving the castle’s green credentials, the scheme will mean the Queen can sell any unused power back to the National Grid to help pay the bills at her favourite home.
T
radition: Windsor Castle will combine the old with the new as it plugs into hydro-electric power from the Thames
A castle source said: ‘The Queen has already installed low-energy light bulbs and other power-saving measures throughout the castle to save money.
'But this project will generate enough energy for 300 local households on her land and one-third of that for Windsor Castle.
Switched on: The Queen at home in Windsor Castle
'She hopes to double that amount in future. It is a very shrewd way to save money and carbon.’
A spokesman for the scheme’s developers, Southeast Power Engineering, which specialises in developing difficult hydropower sites, said: ‘Windsor Castle will be the primary customer for the electricity generated by the system, with any excess power entering the National Grid.’
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: ‘We are keen to continue with generating our own renewable energy from this scheme. The hope is that the project will be built by the end of the year and generating power soon after.’
The green Queen who's powered by the Thames | Mail Online
Underground cables will carry electricity directly to the Berkshire castle - the world's largest inhabited castle - from hydroelectric turbines at the river’s Romney Weir.
And any unused power will be sold by the Queen back to the National Grid to help pay the castle's bills.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: ‘We are keen to continue with generating our own renewable energy from this scheme. The hope is that the project will be built by the end of the year and generating power soon after.’
The green Queen who's powered by the Thames
By Charlotte Griffiths
17th July 2011
Daily Mail
The Queen is planning to reduce her carbon footprint at Windsor Castle by using power generated by the nearby River Thames.
Underground cables will carry electricity directly to the castle from hydroelectric turbines at the river’s Romney Weir.
As well as improving the castle’s green credentials, the scheme will mean the Queen can sell any unused power back to the National Grid to help pay the bills at her favourite home.
radition: Windsor Castle will combine the old with the new as it plugs into hydro-electric power from the Thames
A castle source said: ‘The Queen has already installed low-energy light bulbs and other power-saving measures throughout the castle to save money.
'But this project will generate enough energy for 300 local households on her land and one-third of that for Windsor Castle.
Switched on: The Queen at home in Windsor Castle
'She hopes to double that amount in future. It is a very shrewd way to save money and carbon.’
A spokesman for the scheme’s developers, Southeast Power Engineering, which specialises in developing difficult hydropower sites, said: ‘Windsor Castle will be the primary customer for the electricity generated by the system, with any excess power entering the National Grid.’
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: ‘We are keen to continue with generating our own renewable energy from this scheme. The hope is that the project will be built by the end of the year and generating power soon after.’
The green Queen who's powered by the Thames | Mail Online