2023-09-13 19:22:13
Pump water to extract heat. This is what the BESIX RED group wants to do at Parc Léopold in Namur. This geothermal project may seem quite surprising knowing that the buildings which should be heated using this technology are still very far from being constructed. As a reminder, a few months ago the developer withdrew his permit application for his vast mixed project of housing, offices and businesses planned in this area for around ten years. Numerous criticisms were made during the public inquiry. These focused on the environmental and heritage impacts but above all on the consequences for existing stores in the city center potentially threatened by the development of the future commercial zone.”
Following this setback, the company has reviewed its copy and should reintroduce a new request by the end of the year. In the meantime, she is putting the cart before the horse a little by thinking regarding the heating system that might be used. “Today we are still at the study stage”, explains BESIX RED spokesperson Lucie Cardona. “ Concretely, it is a process which is very respectful of the environment. It looks like what a farmer uses to pump water. We want to dig a shallow hydrothermal well of around ten meters which will allow tests to be carried out. If it is conclusive, we can then consider using this technique in the future. It consists of drawing low temperature water intended to power heat pumps. “
These future tests are not unanimous. Marcel Guillaume of the Ramur environmental preservation association is concerned regarding the consequences for nature: “There are remarkable trees in this area and they might be impacted by the drilling work. We also do not know exactly what this pumping will do to the level of the water table. Could this also generate ground stability problems? There are still a lot of uncertainties at the moment.”
FOR its part, the construction company claims that an expert worked on the file and concluded that there was no environmental risk. A speech intended to be reassuring which will not prevent Ramur from making his comments as part of the public inquiry launched as part of the permit application. This will close on September 22.
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