West Ham’s London Stadium gets stunning multi-million pound upgrade.
West Ham’s London Stadium will have a new look next season after receiving a £4.35 million upgrade.
Solar panels have been installed on the roof of the Hammers’ 60,000-capacity stadium, making it one of the greenest sports venues in the world.
The renovation includes 6,500 square metres of solar panels that are fully integrated into the stadium’s roof.
It is also the largest investment in solar panels of any UK site, having been the first to receive funding from the Mayor of London’s £500 million Green Finance Fund.
However, the project should soon pay for itself. The project is expected to save up to £350,000 on the stadium’s annual energy costs.
This is because the energy produced by the panels will be enough to power all major events throughout the year, including West Ham games and concerts.
Ameresco, an energy firm, oversaw the project and estimates that it will generate 850,000 kWh annually- equivalent to 200 tonnes of carbon emissions and 100 transatlantic flights from London to New York.
The Diamond League Novuna London Athletics Meet, which takes place this weekend, will be the first event to benefit from the multimillion-pound investment.
Daryll Neita, a Team GB sprinter, climbed onto the roof with UK Athletics CEO Jack Buckner and London Stadium CEO Graham Gilmore to turn on the solar panels.
Buckner stated, “We are extremely proud that the Novuna London Athletics Meet is not only the world’s largest one-day athletics event, but also one of the most sustainable—powered by the same stadium that continues to set the global standard for sporting excellence.
“The London Stadium is world-class in every way, and these new solar panels demonstrate what can be accomplished when innovation and legacy are combined.
With a sold-out crowd this weekend, we can’t wait to watch the world’s best athletes compete in an environment that sets the standard both on and off the track.” And there are plans to reduce the stadium’s overall energy consumption even further in the coming years.
With more sustainable projects in the works, it is hoped that by 2026, the venue’s total energy consumption from the national grid will be reduced from 12 million (recorded in 2022) to 8.5 million kWh per year.
Stadium CEO Gilmore stated that “sustainability is now front and centre for artists, athletes, and promoters alike—and as a world-class venue, we’re proud to meet that expectation.”
“With 60,000 fans expected to attend the Novuna London Athletics Meet this weekend, it’s incredibly exciting to be powering the event with energy generated on-site.” “We’re committed to being part of the climate solution.”
The London Stadium’s new renovations will be on full display soon, with West Ham’s first home game of the Premier League season against Chelsea on August 22. Beyond football, the venue has the potential to return to the global stage in the years ahead.
The UK Government announced today that it will bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships and World Para Athletics Championships, bringing the event back to London for the first time since 2017.
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