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The GLA and TfL are talking to sustainable lighting company Laserland, which provided lighting for the Athens Olympics, about installing the devices. Laserland would provide the turbines, which it would use to power laser lighting shows across London. The wind turbines would also be used to generate power for other venues along the Thames.

The proposals under discussion involve erecting turbines on pontoons of river barges down the length of the Thames, with the eventual aim of having two turbines on each boat station. If given the go-ahead by the authorities and local councils, the turbines would provide renewable energy for the boat stations themselves, and possibly for nearby venues.

Laserland, which is in partnership with energy provider Pruven Energy for the venture, plans to use the turbines to generate a series of light shows across London, including this year's Lord Mayor's show in the autumn, for which it has approval.

Four of the landmarks to be given wind-powered laser displays

It is working with the GLA on a light show that would use power from the turbines to bounce lasers off a series of landmark buildings in London, from the Tate Modern to St Paul's Cathedral, the BT Tower and Nelson's column, which is being refurbished.

This would be an expanding scheme, rather than a one-off

Laserland is also set to begin talks with the Olympic Delivery Authority over using the scheme to provide a lighting show for the 2012 Games.

Peter Greenhill, director at Laserland, said: "We've got approval from several bodies, and are now holding discussions with Transport for London and trying to get corporate funding. This would be an expanding scheme, and rather than a one-off for a lighting show, would be a permanent source of energy."

The news emerged a month after ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø revealed that architect ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø Design Partnership was in talks with the Palace of Westminster over installing renewable energy generators on the government estate. It is thought that a device could be installed in the grounds of the Houses of Parliament. It is understood the practice has been working with the estates department for 18 months and has a team at parliament.