It was once the world’s tallest skyscraper. Now a new wind power supply for the Empire State Building demonstrates that it is still a symbol of technology and ambition today.
This famous landmark which is visited by over 3.5 million people a year, has been under an exciting ten-year development. Since 2011, the property’s manager The Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT) has bought renewable power from US developer Green Mountain Energy to run its iconic property. The Empire State Building is now run on 100% wind power!
Empire State Building’s Wind Power Beginnings
It started with a retrofit in 2011. This has resulted in a 40% reduction in the building’s energy use through switching to a green energy supply. The retrofit includes a smart air circulation system and the largest wireless network in a single building that allows tenants to monitor their energy consumption online.
ESRT buys the equivalent of their annual kilowatt needs from Green Mountain Energy.
A Green Energy Future for ESRT
Since the success of this, ESRT has made a deal with the energy firm to expand their contract to all of their New York State properties. This makes ESRT the largest US commercial real estate user of renewable energy. A complete, 100% green energy supply that will power all of their buildings and reduce their bills. It is expected that ESRT will save over $800,000 in their first year of the new contract.
Speaking on the initial plans for the building to switch to a green energy supply in 2011, the Chairman of ESRT Anthony Malkin, has previously said:
“Everything we are doing at the Empire State building is based on the market price, demonstrating you can have efficiency at the same or at lower cost”.
Can UK real estate achieve the same?
This is an inspiring solution by a US company which we hope to see more of in the UK too. In the last ten years, green energy solutions for businesses has been growing in popularity in the UK. At the same time, the cost of switching to renewable energy has decreased.
Our goal at Kakapo Energy is to help UK business set up their own green energy installation and reduce their business running costs by reducing their energy bills. We help businesses to run completely – and sufficiently – on green energy solutions by working with expert partners in renewable energy. Contact us to discuss the energy needs of your business.