Tony Blair Switches on Co-operative Insurance Society Solar Tower
Published: 03 November 2005
Prime Minister Tony Blair today switched on the Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) Solar Tower project, the largest solar project of its kind ever undertaken in Europe. Mr Blair praised CIS on the corporate leadership they were demonstrating stressing how important similar urban projects will be in the coming years in the fight against global warming.
Although work to cover the 400 ft service tower of the landmark building in the centre of Manchester is not totally complete, panels on the south side of the building went live for the first time after Mr Blair pressed a switch to feed electricity into the national grid.
Once all 7,000 photovoltaic panels are in place they will generate 180,000 units of renewable electricity each year - enough energy to make nine million cups of tea.
David Anderson, Chief Executive of Co-operative Financial Services (CFS), said, "We are delighted that the Prime Minister has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit this important environmental project in the centre of Manchester."
He added, "The building, which is grade II listed, is now more than 40 years old and the small mosaic tiles that clad the service tower of the building needed replacing and solar panels are the ideal solution. They will not only protect the tower from the elements but will also enhance its appearance and generate significant amounts of renewable energy, regardless of the weather."
Kirsty Stevenson, Solarcentury project manager, said, "It was good to see the Prime Minister acknowledging the importance of projects such as the CIS Solar Tower. This building demonstrates how easily our existing ageing buildings can be transformed into clean renewable power stations and we are immensely proud to have helped CIS lead by example".
Work commenced late last year on the ambitious £5.5m project which is being supported by a £885,000 grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and a £175,000 grant from the Department of Trade & Industry.
