The Netherlands support thirteen energy-efficient new-build projects

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Dutch Minister Van Middelkoop of Housing, Communities and Integration (VROM) has designated thirteen new-build projects as pilots to gain experience of energy-efficient construction. A total of fortyseven municipal authorities had applied for projects in their area to participate in the scheme. An independent committee consisting of project developers, builders, housing corporations, and municipal and provincial authorities proposed a list of projects to the Minister. In making its selection the committee considered issues such as the extent to which the knowledge and experience acquired could be used in other new-build projects elsewhere in the Netherlands. Minister Van Middelkoop will give the thirteen ‘Areas of Excellence' [Excellente Gebieden] a maximum of €300,000 per project.

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This subsidy is intended to cover the additional process and supervision costs involved in carrying out the project. The underlying aim of the Areas of Excellence Scheme is to gain experience on a larger scale with highly energy-efficient, innovative new build in anticipation of the tightening up of the EPC (Energy Performance Coefficient) requirements in 2011 and 2015. The EPC standard gives an insight into a building's energy performance.

The innovations can be technical, organisational or financial. Applications had to be for projects that would achieve at least a 25% better energy performance than the legal obligations under the current EPC requirements. It was striking, however, that a lot of applications went further in terms of their energy efficiency targets.

The intention is that the entire construction and project development sector in the Netherlands should be able to benefit from the knowledge and experience acquired. This will make it easier for innovative techniques and methods that prove successful in one project to also be used in other projects, thereby saving both time and money. NL Energy and Climate, which is part of Agency NL, facilitates the knowledge acquisition and learning process and will maintain active contact with the Areas of Excellence.

The thirteen projects designated are as follows:

‘Geerpark' in Heusden

the ‘Erasmusveld-Leyweg' zone in The Hague

‘Hout Noord' in Almere

‘Vroonermeer Noord' in Alkmaar

‘Climate-neutral Jeruzalem' in Amsterdam Oost-Watergraafsmeer

‘Climate-neutral Steenbrugge' in Deventer

‘Distripoort Noord-Holland' in Koggenland

‘De Houthaven' in Amsterdam Westerpark

‘Venlo Greenpark', ‘Villa Flora' and ‘Innovatoren' in Venlo

‘Velmolen Buiten':

sustainable construction and sustainable living in Uden