Works to make two of the Royal and Laeken palaces more energy efficient in order to reduce the royal properties' carbon footprints will be launched early next year.
A study launched by the federal buildings authority at the start of the autumn looked into ways to cut back into the "relatively" energy-intensive Royal Palace, in a cost-effective manner which accounts for the building's "historical character."
The works will be carried out in two phases, with the first one set to kick off at the start of 2020 and the second one by next autumn with an end date set for 2022, according to the buildings authority.
The works will aim to renovate and update the heating infrastructure of the Royal Palace, located in the heart of Brussels and whose 33,027 square metres mostly fill a functional role where King Philippe handles state affairs.
A study is also underway to assess the possibility to plug the palace onto the natural gas grid as well as to put in place a system known as cogeneration, which allows for more optimal use of energy by reusing byproducts from initial electricity generation, such as leftover steam.
To the north of Brussels, the royal family's official residence, the Laeken Palace, is also in the sights of the buildings authority, which is working on a project to improve the heating system of the centuries-old property.
The project will seek to use the residual heat released by the neighbouring waste incinerator in Neder-over-Heembeek, according to Bruzz.
The works on the Laeken Palace are set to launch in January, and are expected to have the property's heating network operational in time for the winter of 2020.
Gabriela Galindo
The Brussels Times
