City of Lucerne wants to heat entirely with renewables
The city of Lucerne wants to convert its heat supply to 100 per cent renewable energies. Public buildings are to be completely supplied with new energy sources by 2030.
The Lucerne City Council is requesting a special credit of 5.05 million Swiss francs from the City Council for the conversion of the heating supply to 100 per cent renewable energy. In addition, a supplementary credit of 194,000 francs was requested for the 2023 budget. According to a press release, this is to finance the increase in staffing in the real estate department that is needed until 2034.
Additional staff percentages had become necessary because the voters of Lucerne had approved the city’s climate and energy strategy in September 2022. It stipulates that the city’s own buildings and facilities of the administrative assets, such as schools and administrative buildings, must be supplied with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
Thanks to the increase in personnel in the real estate department, the conversion to renewable heat supply should be implemented by 2035 and the upcoming renovations of the properties in the financial assets can be managed. This is planned for a total of 39 properties.
With the conversion of the properties of the financial assets to 100 per cent renewable energy, the city council wants to set a good example for its own properties, according to the statement. The city will help with any interim solutions for tenants.