Infrastructure Works Begin on Rout Lëns District in Esch-sur-Alzette

IKO Real Estate has announced the launch of infrastructure works on the new Rout Lëns district in Esch-sur-Alzette.

This marks a concrete step in the development of this sustainable neighbourhood project which is set to offer more than 1,400 housing units.

This infrastructure work (set for completion in 2026) consists of the installation of various networks supplying the entire district with drinking water, electricity and telecommunications. The works will also make it possible to create a new energy network to supply the district.

The completion work relating to the installation of coverings (coating, paving stones, etc.), plantings and street furniture will take place in a second phase.

IKO Real Estate noted that the project and execution studies required nearly two years to size the various special development plan networks and guarantee, in collaboration with the City of Esch-sur-Alzette, the capacities of the existing public network. The infrastructures will be connected to those of the city via the Terres Rouges roundabout and Rue des Acacias.

Over the past two years, sanitation work on the site and heritage buildings also took place in collaboration with ArcelorMittal. During this work, the team also removed the historic foundations; all the concrete (nearly 100,000 m3 of rubble) will be preserved, crushed and reused, namely as road underlay and backfill during infrastructure work. Similarly, 65% of the land from the excavations will be reused on-site.

In addition, the launch of the infrastructure works was an opportunity to present a new "anergy" concept in Luxembourg. A joint venture between IKO Real Estate SCA, LuxEnergie SA and Encevo SA has resulted in the creation of the company CALLISTO SA, which will develop the first such network in the Grand Duchy. The aim is to create an efficient and innovative energy system, compatible with the carbon objectives of the future district while allowing control of the operating costs of the buildings for future buyers. Following a call for projects, IKO chose to pursue an energy concept based on anergy. This concept does not consist only of a district heating network, but of a unique energy exchange network offering heating and cooling in all homes.

IKO then teamed up with Luxenergie and Encevo for this joint venture. The energy network is expected to play a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of the Rout Lëns project while guaranteeing a sustainable and reliable energy supply to all residents. Geothermal heat pumps will cover 100% of the district's heating and cooling needs. The locally installed photovoltaic system will produce approximately 50% of the electrical energy necessary to power this technical concept, with the remaining 50% being covered by green electricity.