London Thames Gateway - A new centre for Environmental Technologies
Thames Gateway London represents a unique opportunity to locate renewable energy technologies and Gateway to London is developing a detailed proposition for the area to attract new companies from the UK and abroad. Environmental technologies are those which “reduce pressures on natural resources, improve quality of life, and stimulate economic growth”. A tall order, but not for Thames Gateway London – the focus for the development of ‘green industries’ in London. Green industries are diverse and fast growing, and there are many obstacles for companies trying to find their way to market. However, London, and in particular it’s eastern area offers superb conditions and extensive opportunities and support for these forward looking companies.- Market size – London provides a high density, high consumption population
- Government policy and support is crucial in this industry. East London offers a close and viable option, next door to Government and policymakers
- London has established an attractive business environment for renewables and energy services and already has in place much pro recycling legislation
- Financial support to fund new projects and technology development – many parts of East London are eligible for financial assistance from various government programmes
- Extensive brownfield sites exist in outer London for larger renewable energy schemes such as a wind turbine or biomass projects
- Challenging recycling targets have already been set by London Boroughs - radical new ways are needed to manage London's waste
- Huge talent pool for environmental engineering and waste management. East London is home to some of the most advanced facilities in London including the Department of Materials at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) which enjoys an international reputation for excellence for its research into environmental materials technology
- Riverside Access - in east London there are three safeguarded wharves capable of being made viable to accommodate green industry or waste processing operations
Waste disposal & recycling
London produces, moves and disposes a lot of waste. By 2020 this will be 6 million tonnes. The nine local authorities in east London alone collect over 1 million tonnes of municipal waste per annum.
Land remediation for brownfield development
There are 430 hectares of brownfield land available for development. The scale of development in the wider Thames Gateway over the next 20 years will generate a significant amount of work for environmental and engineering firms to bring these sites forward.
Recycled aggregates and secondary materials
London’s construction industry produces a lot of waste material and with the proposed developments in the Thames Gateway London area and the extensive construction work that will have to take place for the Olympics this volume is only set to increase. The Aggregates Levy has placed an emphasis on finding new ways to extract more value from this waste and the landfill directive creates an incentive for this material to be reused as a secondary aggregate. All this produces an array of opportunities for new businesses to enter the sector.
Renewables and energy efficient building
From 2008, all new developments in London must generate at least 10% of their energy needs from renewable sources. Thames Gateway London offers considerable potential for waste-to-energy projects to serve these developments or simply to plug back into the grid. East London has serious ambitions to be a leading European centre for renewable energy technologies along with a clear vision for development in the Thames Gateway to be at the leading edge of sustainable construction. These industries go hand in hand and it is an exciting time for Thames Gateway London, as it sets about becoming a hub for these growing and dynamic markets.
