THE 2012 Olympics will be powered by a giant wind turbine which will tower over the game park in East London.

The 120-metre high turbine will stay on the site after the Games to power local amenities and housing over its 20-year lifespan.

Located at Eton Manor in the north of the Olympic Park, it will provide enough energy to supply 1,200 homes a year.

Construction is set to begin in Spring 2008, subject to planning permission, and the Olympic Delivery Authority hopes it will be fully operational by 2010.

The ODA said it would be a visible symbol of London 2012's commitment to staging the most sustainable Olympic Games ever.

The authority is also considering the use of solar power, ground water cooling, small scale hydro/tidal power and biomass on the site.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: "We want to make use of as many innovative renewable technologies as possible to power the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and will be looking to industry to provide us with creative solutions in the months ahead.

"The wind turbine on the Olympic Park will be a symbol of the sustainability principles behind the Games and will act as a 'green' beacon for the capital."