Marseille to invest EUR 80 million in district heating networks

Marseille has initiated an €80 million project to develop a large-scale urban heating network aimed at supplying renewable energy to 50,000 homes by 2032. The project integrates biomass heating plants, solar thermal production, and systems for exploiting temperature differences in Seawater, utilizing the city’s natural resources to transition from fossil fuels. The new system is expected to lower household energy costs by approximately 15% and replace gas-powered heating systems in several districts of the city. 

The heating network will serve the 13th, 15th, 16th, and 9th districts of the city, targeting a mix of residential buildings, public facilities, and schools. Implementation will proceed in three phases. The first phase, scheduled for 2026, will prioritize essential infrastructure and several public buildings in the 15th district. By 2029, the network will also expand to the Castellane-Bricarde area. The final phase, projected for completion by 2032, will extend the network to the 16th district, supported by a plant at the Saumaty port, which will use temperature differences in seawater to generate heating and cooling. 

Given the scale of the investment and the technical requirements, the city has launched a public service delegation process to identify a private partner to finance, construct, and manage the network. The selected operator will assume operational and investment risks while collaborating with the municipality to ensure the phased implementation of the project. 

A feasibility study conducted in 2023 confirmed the viability of the project, highlighting its potential to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and address energy challenges in underserved northern neighborhoods. This initiative will complement existing renewable energy systems in Marseille, such as Thassalia and Massileo, which also utilise seawater but on a smaller scale. The new project distinguishes itself by combining multiple renewable energy sources into an integrated system designed to address both environmental and energy affordability objectives. 

Marseille’s urban heating network represents a major step toward achieving the city’s energy transition goals, reducing carbon emissions, and improving energy access. By combining innovative technologies with a public-private partnership model, the project aims to establish a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure for the city. 

Read more in article from Revolution Energetique

Lille unveils plan to expand district heating network by 2035 

The Lille Metropolitan Area, which also includes the cities of Roubaix and Tourcoing, has recently approved a new plan for its district heating and cooling systems, marking a significant step in expanding and modernising its energy infrastructure. Currently, around 50,000 homes in the region are connected to the district heating network, known as the “Highway of Heat”, which was initially powered by the now-decommissioned Résonor coal-fired plant in Mont de Terre, southeast of Lille. Following the closure of this plant in 2021, the network was extended to incorporate the Halluin incinerator near the Belgian border. 

As part of the expansion strategy, the Lille Metropolitan Area plans to extend the network to serve 130,000 homes by 2035. This expansion will include the extension of the existing networks from Lille and Wattignies to four additional municipalities, as well as the creation of a new district heating system in Tourcoing. The expansion efforts are focused on ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the heating service for an increasing population. According to Actu Environnement, substantial investments are expected to be directed into upgrading the infrastructure and integrating new technologies to support the growing demand in the region. 

The project will likely see the adoption of several technologies, including waste-to-energy systems, geothermal energy, and solar-energy technologies. The ongoing developments will be coordinated by local municipalities, energy providers, and the Metropolitan Council of Lille, who are responsible for the planning, financing, and implementation of the expansion. 

Read more in article from Actu Environnement 

Le Toquet to develop new district heating network

The city of Le Touquet has taken steps towards reducing its reliance on fossil fuels by approving the development of an urban heating network powered. In a recent decision, the municipal council approved the use of a Public Service Delegation to manage the implementation of the project, which will enable the city to secure external funding and leverage public-private partnerships. The heating network, which will involve the installation of a central heating plant to distribute heat across various buildings in the city, is estimated to cost between €7.49 million and €17.84 million, depending on the selected development scenario. Public subsidies are expected to cover approximately 49% to 53% of the total cost. 

The feasibility of the project has been assessed by the Lille-based consulting firm FEREST Énergies, which confirmed that the proposed system is viable. The heating network would make use of local biomass from the Touquet forest, geothermal energy, and solar-power technology. This combination of resources is expected to reduce carbon emissions, particularly in municipal buildings, while also providing the possibility of connecting secondary residences which currently rely on electric heating to the network. Furthermore, the system is poised to potentially incorporate cooling solutions for certain sites. 

The city council is considering three different scenarios for the project, each with varying scopes and investment requirements. The first scenario would involve a smaller-scale network, supplying heat to a limited number of buildings in the city center, with the heating plant located centrally. The second scenario would expand the network to include a larger zone and the city center, with the heating plant located in a designated zone in the outskirts of the city. The third scenario is the most extensive, extending the network to the seafront and including several additional areas of the city. 

The timeline for the project will depend on the scenario opted for along with the availability of external funding. If approved, implementation could take place over the coming years. In any regard, this initiative reflects Le Touquet’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and promoting the use of renewable energy, while also addressing the city’s long-term energy needs. 

Read more in article from La Voix du Nord  

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