§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Minister without Portfolio what assessment his Department has made of the advantages of installing photovoltaic solar cells in the Millennium Dome; and what proposals there are to use photovoltaic technology(a) in the Millennium Dome and (b) in the Millennium Experience exhibition. [28202]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe cladding of the Millennium Dome, which will house the Millennium Experience, is translucent, allowing through natural daylight. The New Millennium Experience Company considered installing photovoltaic cells but concluded that this would reduce translucency and hence increase the power needed for artificial lighting. The NMEC is, however, currently investigating the potential for using a number of sustainable power sources within the Dome for demonstration and educational purposes.