Wind turbines in Dagenham Heathway and solar panels on Barking Town Hall could become a reality after the council agreed plans to produce its own renewable energy.

The move will make the council the first public sector company in London to produce renewable energy.

Less than one per cent of the borough’s energy currently comes from renewable sources, vastly lower than the 34pc the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) say can be produced.

The new company is expected to slash the council’s £6m annual energy bill and provide cheaper rates to the community and will use street lamp solar panels created through Barking and Dagenham College.