The Rockhal, which was constructed in 2003 in Belval, will be covered with around 2,300 photovoltaic panels Fonds Belval

The Rockhal, which was constructed in 2003 in Belval, will be covered with around 2,300 photovoltaic panels Fonds Belval

Once complete, the roof and southern side of the venue, which was constructed in 2003 in Belval, will be covered with around 2,300 panels, generating up to 60% of its energy consumption. Four other buildings in Belval are also to receive solar installations, according to our colleagues at sister magazine Paperjam.

The project sits perfectly within the government’s strategy to dramatically reduce dependence on fossil fuels and use renewable energy sources, as outlined in the Rifkin report.

The Rockhal was chosen because of its exterior surface area, which is also flat, making it optimal for attaching solar panels. Installation is expected to be completed before the end of the summer, according to Fonds de Belval director Luc Dhamen. He explained the panels will be capable of generating up to 580,000kWh annually.

“Even if the specifications established that we wanted the most efficient technologies, it is not possible to make the existing buildings entirely autonomous in terms of energy,” Dhamen said, explaining that there were other aesthetic constraints.

The project is expected to cost around €5 million as one of 15 to be funded by the climate and energy fund. The Bel-Val high school, Maison du Savoir, Maison des Sciences Humaines and Maison de l’Innovation will also be fitted with photovoltaic panels at different stages, according to Paperjam.

The panels on five buildings are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 1,250 tonnes per year.

Figures published in January by Eurostat, placed Luxembourg at the bottom of the EU member state ranking with just 5.5% of its needs met through sustainable energy. It will have to more than double its performance in order to meet its 2020 target of 11%.