Royal family’s heating to become fully sustainable

The royal domain in Laeken is about to get greener. Works are underway to pump surplus heat from waste incineration into King Philippe’s house, greenhouses and other structures located on the domain.

Brussels burns non-recyclable waste at the incineration plant in Neder-Over-Heembeek. Much of the heat generated is already turned into energy, but the works underway will see heat pumped through underground pipes directly to the royal domain.

The grounds are currently being dug up for the pipes to be installed. They will be connected to the heat pumps already in use on the grounds. “Not only will this decrease CO2 emissions by 2,700 tons a year,” said Laurent Vrijdaghs of the federal government’s property management agency, “it will also save money on energy costs.”

The works cost €4.75 million, of which half is being paid by the property agency and half by the Royal Trust. The installation is expected to be up and running by this winter.

Photo courtesy Gestionnaire Immobilier de L’État Fédéral