Green power reaches new heights in Finsbury

12.07.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 25th Jul 2008

Council leader James Kempton, local councillor Ruth Polling, and former Mayor of Islington Joe Trotter went up to the roof of Kestrel House to see the new turbine.

A 19-storey tower block on City Road in Finsbury now boasts a rooftop wind turbine thanks to Islington's Liberal Democrat Council. The 12-metre high turbine is generating power for the communal lighting, lifts, water pumps, CCTV, and concierge area of Kestrel House.

Liberal Democrat Bunhill councillor Ruth Polling went up to the roof of Kestrel House to get a closer look. She said:

"I live in the tower block directly opposite and can see the turbine from my kitchen window. It's a great construction and a visual reminder that we need to change our ways in this country to cut our energy use and make the switch to using more renewable energy. Islington is becoming a real leader in tackling climate change.

"Harnessing the wind for power is obviously environmentally friendly, but it's also fantastic that this will save Kestrel House residents money on their service charges. At a time when everyone is feeling the pinch, this is a really important benefit of renewable energy too."