Any hopes West Ham had of gaining ownership of the London Stadium can now be put firmly on the back burner following news of planned upgrades.
As Martin reported earlier, the former Olympic Stadium is set to be retrofitted with a roof membrane that acts as a giant solar panel, which will hopefully generate enough power to cover most of the venue’s energy usage.
However, the cost of the project will be significant, and it is reported that it will take 11 years of efficient performance to pay back the installation costs.
While the upgrades are good news for environmentalists, they likely spell the end of any hopes West Ham had of owning the ground. Make no mistake about it, solar panels on the Olympic Stadium are a vanity project from the mayor’s office.
In many respects, the move is more of a virtue signal than a true energy-saving venture. The stadium’s switch to green is a hugely expensive political statement, which I expect will be used to demonstrate how committed London is to clean energy.
Therefore, if the London Stadium is to serve as a sort of poster boy for green energy, it’s fair to assume it will remain in public ownership. London Mayor Sadiq Khan is said to have taken a personal interest and has personally underwritten the project from his Green Finance Fund.
West Ham CEO & London Mayor Sadiq Khan may find themselves with different ideas for the London Stadium
Flagship statement ends West Ham ownership hopes
There are far better ways to generate clean energy in the UK. We are an island blessed with tidal coastlines and estuaries, and the correct projects could provide limitless energy for millions of homes with the right foresight and planning.
Despite the political posturing, England is years behind nations like Costa Rica, Iceland, and Norway, where a massive 98% of electricity production comes from renewable energy—hydropower being the key source.
If it seems like I’m being cynical about renewable energy, I’m not. I’m merely making the point that covering the Hammers’ home ground with a solar membrane is not going to make much of a difference. It’s a showcase, a flagship, a statement, and a demonstration of London’s intentions to go green, which is why I believe it’s highly unlikely that West Ham will ever be given the ground.
