Summary

The municipality of Beckerich has been very active towards becoming energy self-sufficient. Milestones to this direction include a cooperative biogas plant and a district heating network with almost 200 homes and buildings connected, Luxembourg’s first childcare centre designed for low energy consumption, etc.

In 2010, the municipality decided  to redevelop an old railway station by converting the ground floor into a railway museum, while the first floor and attic would be converted into social housing. The project was chosen to become a model of energy-efficient renovation work for the LEADER area and set the ground for setting up the ClimEEC cluster, a ‘one-stop-shop’ offering reliable expertise on environmental construction and renovation of buildings.

Results

The ecological restoration of the old railway station, resulted to 80% of energy savings. The building was classified as ‘Class B’ in the energy performance categories.

18 companies and organizations now form the ClimEEC cluster, offering reliable expertise on environmental construction and renovation of buildings.

Since 2012 when public support through LEADER stopped, the cluster became self-financed by its members.

A housing allotment of 3 units was built by the cluster with energy efficiency solutions included in the selling price of the house, for example, solar panels allowing for >60% energy saving.