Solar panels have been recently installed on the roof of OPEK, the ‘Openbaar Entrepot voor de Kunsten’ (‘Public Warehouse of Arts’) located at the Leuven Canal ‘Vaart’. The collaboration with the energy cooperative ECoOB allows OPEK to take a step forward in sustainable energy consumption, without having to provide the capital itself. Leuven 2030 has brought both parties together.

We spoke with Maarten Minne, the managing director of the theater company ‘Het nieuwstedelijk’ and financial director of OPEK, and Kwinten Cammaer, the facility manager of OPEK, about the development of this initiative.

“A few years ago, OPEK invested in renovations, such as ventilation systems and rainwater harvesting solutions,” tells Kwinten. “A large building like this requires a phased approach. When we were given the opportunity to install solar panels through this program, we quickly agreed that this was the next logical step.”

The idea took shape through a call for partners in the Leuven 2030 newsletter, after which the latter established contact between OPEK and ECoOB. “We were interested in this approach, which did not require us to invest our own capital. That made it feasible to quickly turn the plans into reality.”

Leuven 2030 acted as a bridge by bringing OPEK in contact with EcoOB. Maarten Minne: “Without this network, it may have been more difficult and less obvious to start such a collaboration. This kind of support helps organizations such as ours in taking steps.”

Capital funding through ECoOB, paving the way to the Climate Fund

The citizen cooperative ECoOB pre-financed the investment costs of the installation through its shareholders. OPEK purchases the generated electricity at a fixed rate, which offers predictability in an uncertain energy market. The returns flow back to the shareholders of the energy cooperative. Over time, part of the proceeds could finance other sustainable projects in Leuven via the Leuven Climate Fund.

Maarten Minne: “It is good to know that most of the electricity we currently consume is produced locally. This aligns with our ambition to take responsibility in terms of sustainability.”

Technical implementation and full-service support

The technical aspects of the project were largely managed by ECoOB. This was an important reason for OPEK for entering into the collaboration. “For a multi-user building and an organization with limited financial resources like OPEK, it was real relief that ECoOB handled so many things on our behalf,” explains Kwinten. “The entire process - from the first exploratory phone call until the installation of the solar panels - was finalized within six months.

The installation consists of 110 solar panels. These are expected to generate approximately 55 MWh, which covers an average of 27% of OPEK’s annual electricity demand.

‍

‍

One step in a larger plan

This project is not an isolated effort, but part of a larger sustainability initiative within OPEK. “We continue to explore ways to make our energy consumption more sustainable,” tells Kwinten. “For example, we plan to replace our remaining fluorescent lamps with LEDs and to connect more of our sanitary facilities to the rainwater harvesting system. In the future, we also see possibilities to install a green roof on the section of the roof that is not covered with solar panels.”

“Of course, all these interventions do come with a cost”, adds Maarten, “and if an offer comes along where you don't have to invest or search for capital yourself, but that allows you to capitalize on the financial and societal benefits it offers ... you don't have to think twice. The fact that ECoOB is a citizen cooperative, was another deciding factor that convinced us to move forward. In the end, OPEK is just a pile of bricks. The organisations that populate it, such as Het nieuwstedelijk, Trill, fABULEUS, Bamm!, Wisper, Café Entrepot, the drama school Lucadrama, the FactorY, DeGarage, Kunst in huis, Copper & Light, … give life to the building. In that sense, you could say we are also a kind of cooperative.

The installation of the solar panels is aligned with the larger objectives of the Leuven Climate City Contract, the strategic plan set up by Leuven 2030, the city of Leuven, and more than 30 committed companies, organizations and partners, to accelerate the city's path to climate neutrality. With this type of project, Leuven 2030, the city, and various financial actors plan to establish a Leuven Climate Fund that could finance future sustainability projects outlined in the Leuven Climate City Contract.

‍