Maintenance and electricity costs to keep the New Scotland Yard sign rotating

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.024989

I note you seek access to the following information:

On an annual basis, how much in maintenance and electricity cost does it cost to keep the New Scotland Yard sign rotating, particularly when it needs to slow down once people are stood beneath it.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

The revolving sign is not metered separately but in order to give an indication we have taken the rating of the motor and lighting to establish the energy use and cost.

This is calculated as 0.38kW energy use, at 18.961p/kWh, operating 24/7/365. An 80% factor has been applied to the motor rating as motors in general should operate below peak capacity. The motor is not variable speed. This equates to an estimated current cost of £631 per year based on the current tariff paid by the MPS.

There is no planned maintenance activity so there is no cost associated with that and reactive work orders are generated when issues arise. The sign is designed to be as maintenance free as possible, but there was a cost in 2018 of £245.33 to replace the ‘grease pack’. There is a current order in progress where a temporary power cut caused an issue, however that work is ongoing and has not been costed at this time.

Cleaning is not identified as a separate item as the sign and area is just part of general building cleaning activity.