Eiffel Tower Now Generates Own Power With Wind Turbines
PARIS—The historic Eiffel Tower took a step into a sustainable future earlier this month as it brought online two onsite wind turbines. The turbines are installed inside the tower’s metal scaffolding on the second level, and are painted in the same color to minimize their visual impact on the 126-year-old tower. The turbines are installed 122 m (400 ft) from the ground in order to maximize annual electricity production potential. The turbines are expected to produce about 10,000 kWh of electricity per year. This would meet the total annual demand of the tower’s first floor, which includes restaurants, a souvenir shop, and history exhibits. The Eiffel Tower also is installing rainwater collection systems to supply water for its toilets, high-efficiency LED lights, and solar panels in order to further decrease the landmark’s environmental footprint. While the tower was not required to meet any environmental benchmark, the tower’s operating company, Societe d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), is attempting to reduce the tower’s environmental impact by 25% as part of the City of Paris Climate Plan.
