London council low carbon initiative sees wind turbine installed

A wind turbine has been installed to help power a London tower block.

The 18-storey Finsbury tower block will now have its lifts, lights, water pumps, CCTV and concierge area of Kestrel House powered by the renewable resource, 24dash.com reports.

Islington council provided most of the money for the scheme - totalling some £37,000 - after estate residents voted in favour of the move.

"At a time when everyone is feeling the pinch, here's a scheme which is saving money while helping us reduce our carbon footprint at the same time," said councillor James Kempton, leader of Islington council.

The council has set a target of reducing the borough's carbon output by 15 per cent by 2010.

Meanwhile, a series of homes in Sunderland have been developed along environmentally-friendly standards for rental.