The project - the largest energy centre scheme ever built in the UK - will help reduce the carbon emissions of the Olympic Park and deliver an early legacy of sustainable energy across the site well before the Games begin.

The building was officially opened by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) chief executive David Higgins and Gérard Mestrallet, chairman and chief executive officer of GDF SUEZ, who will own and operate the new facility.

The Energy Centre, built by John McAslan+Partners, will provide an efficient low-carbon heating and cooling system across the site for the Games and for the new buildings and communities that will develop after 2012.

Johnson said: "It is an environmental imperative that we harness the delivery of 2012 Games to raise new standards of sustainability.

"Not only will this leverage in new skills and job opportunities for Londoners, but also help the transition towards a low carbon economy.

"It is a fantastic achievement that the Olympic Park will be powered locally.

"Not only will it generate electricity but the heat from that process will also be used to heat and cool buildings providing a valuable wider legacy for the vibrant new metropolitan quarter we are creating in east London.

"We want to encourage more energy centres such as this one through the London Green Fund, which will offer loans for innovative infrastructure projects."

Cofely completed the detailed design of the plant equipment and JMP designed the building elements and oversaw the site construction activities.


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