PROJECT STORY
The challenge
By 2030, the City of Antwerp wants to achieve a 50–55% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with 2005 levels and eventually become climate neutral by 2050.
Antwerp district heating network program
City of Antwerp aims to connect first buildings to sustainable heating network by 2030
The solution
In partnership with the City of Antwerp, Arcadis is creating a roadmap for the implementation of a complex district heating network program that draws residual heat from industrial businesses.
The impact
Antwerp will be able to meet 10% of its heating requirements by 2030 using the district heating network, which will extend to a significant portion of the city by 2050.
up to 55%
CO2 reduction by 2030
10%
coverage of heating requirements by 2030
71-kton
CO2 reduction by 2030
The challenge
About 90% of the City of Antwerp's heating requirements are currently met by fossil fuels such as oil and gas, which negatively impact the environment. This led the city to seek sustainable and affordable alternatives that will help it achieve its climate goals for 2050. Based on Antwerp's 'Climate Plan 2030', the city intends to accelerate its sustainability roadmap and achieve a 55% reduction in emissions compared with 2005 levels by 2030. One of the strategies the city is considering helping it meet its goals is the development of a sustainable district heating network powered by residual heat.
The solution
The sustainable district heating network will transport residual heat from major industrial businesses to buildings in the city via an underground network. The aim is to connect the equivalent of 35,000 homes by 2030. With its proximity to the port, home to Europe's largest chemical cluster, Antwerp is perfectly placed to roll out the district heating network on a massive scale. A project of this magnitude is truly a first for Belgium.
Arcadis Belgium, Arcadis Netherlands and AKD took on the coordinating role in 2020. Together, we will explore how large parts of the city can be provided with a district heating network. This involves challenges such as determining the best location to install such a network, which types of buildings will or will not be connected, and which market model and policies are used to regulate access to the network. In our capacity as advisors, we have drawn up a 'Roadmap 2030' for the implementation of this complex district heating network program and providing technical and legal expertise for the city.
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The impact
This sustainable city-wide district heating network will cover 10% of Antwerp's heating requirements by 2030, laying the foundation to be climate-neutral by 2050. To turn this vision into a reality, we need to start thinking now about how heating demands and other planned infrastructure projects will evolve in the future. Utilizing residual heat, this district heating network enhances energy security and promotes more stable prices. Antwerp’s district heating network will serve as a model for other cities aiming to achieve their goals of climate neutrality.