Major solar power system installed in athlete village

(AFP)
Updated: 2006-11-15 14:27

Construction workers work on the top of the National Stadium in Beijing November 14,2006.The National Stadium, dubbed the 'Bird's Nest', takes shape. The supports underpinning the steel structure were completely removed in September, and work on the plumbing and electricity have begun. Construction is expected to finish by the end of 2007.[newsphoto]

A state-of-the-art solar power system from Germany will heat shower water for more than 10,000 athletes during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The system, paid for by a donation from the Italian government, would be installed next year in the athletes village, home to most athletes competing in the Olympics.

A pilot system was already working at the offices of the organizing committee of the Beijing Olympics, said Sun Weide, a spokesman for the committee.

"It's seems to be working well," said Sun.

He said the athletes village system would provide sufficient hot water for the daily needs of more than 12,000 athletes.

Beijing organizers have set themselves the target of hosting a green Olympics on 2008, saying in a mission statement that "environmentally friendly technologies and measures will be widely applied".