France/At Étrœungt, we opted for woodchip boilers, a local and economical energy source

At Étrœungt, in the southern Avesnois region, work is progressing on the future municipal heating plant, which will house three wood-chip boilers. The earthworks and platform have been completed. On April 9, Fourmies-based masonry firm Barbieux was hard at work.

More and more mayors are looking at the benefits of installing a boiler house to house one or more woodchip boilers in their municipality. At least, that's how Vincent Justice sees it. The mayor of Étrœungt, a village in the southern Avesnois region, is monitoring the construction of a boiler house to house three wood-chip boilers. Earthworks began in March on this site, just a stone's throw from the town hall. On April 9, Vincent Justice was on site. As he puts it: " The installation will heat several communal buildings, including the town hall, schools, village hall, multi-activity room, day-care center ...". Above all, the savings will be worthwhile on the commune's energy bill, especially as local authorities and private individuals alike have had to contend with a significant increase in the price of fluids in recent years.

From €36,000 to €10,000 to heat municipal buildings

According to Vincent Justice, the bill, currently around €36,000 for a year's heating, could be reduced to €10,000. The other advantage, of course, is the local resource. Every year, around a third of the commune's farmers reserve wood from their hedgerows for the heating plant. This improves the commune's carbon footprint. The wood-chip boiler cuts CO2 emissions by 80% compared with conventional boilers. Work on the boiler house is scheduled for completion in mid-October. On site this Tuesday, April 9, was the Barbieux masonry firm from Fourmies. The worksite is progressing well.

Source: www.lavoixdunord.fr/