Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

London, U.K. --- (METERING.COM) --- April 7, 2009  - The fitting of smart meters and a smart grid to the 2012 Olympic Village has been proposed as a test bed project to be implemented as part of a program to transform London into the low carbon capital of the world.

The test bed projects, which are in addition to the main program, are seen as an opportunity for companies to showcase their technologies and capabilities. They also could present a major opportunity for London to create new jobs and skills for highly exportable technologies, according to Ernst & Young, which was commissioned to develop the plan.

The London low carbon capital plan, proposed by the city’s mayor Boris Johnson, is aimed at helping to achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 60 percent by 2025 and establishing London as the leading financier and knowledge hub for the world’s low carbon economy. With an estimated average annual cost of £845 million, the plan could create up to 14,000 jobs and contribute £720 million a year to the capital’s economy by 2025.

The plan encompasses four primary areas – waste, building efficiency, transport and decentralized heating. Specific proposals include making homes and public and commercial buildings more energy efficient with energy saving systems and micro generation, and to roll out an electric vehicle fleet and charging infrastructure.

“I see the green economy as an unprecedented opportunity not only to improve our planet and our quality of life, but to develop new industries and create new jobs in an economic climate that is otherwise extremely difficult,” said Johnson. “There are clear opportunities for London to create jobs and wealth by pursuing program to save energy and cut carbon. This report shows the capital is uniquely placed to become a leading low carbon city with all the economic benefits that would bring.”

The cost of the Olympic smart meter test bed project is estimated at £5 million.

The report recommends the establishment of a Low Carbon Taskforce to rapidly drive forward this work.