A study by BDP says the Palace of Westminister could cut CO2 by using the tide as well as wind turbines and ground source cooling

Wind turbines, tidal power and ground source cooling could be used to power Westminster, according to a newly-released government report.

Houses of Parliament

The study, first revealed by Building in May last year, was commissioned by MPs and Lords to look at how the Palace of Westminster could reduce its carbon footprint. It has been drawn up by BDP Sustainability.

Suggestions in the report include a 35m wind turbine in Victoria Gardens, 50 3m hydroturbines in the Thames and 120m boreholes dug into the ground to cool the debating chamber from London’s chalky aquifer.

If given the green light by Parliament, the project would cost at least £20m.

The Palace of Westminster uses enough electricity to power 6,500 households. It has pledged to lower carbon reductions by 16% by 2020, but the report suggests carbon savings of 29% could be achievable by 2020 if its suggestions are taken up.

The report was obtained by The Guardian under the Freedom of Information Act.