Charleroi

Porte Ouest

The district is a former industrial brownfield area that is currently in the process of re-urbanisation.

The district heating and cooling network, powered by waste heat, represents significant progress toward curbing GHG emissions in Europe, limiting the pollution from mined gas and reducing the use of other power sources for heating. Moreover, by 2028, the district will have 217 951 m² of new energy-efficient buildings.

The city will test the following SPs:

SP1: Digitisation, data management and monitoring to optimise energy flows and demand;
SP2: study to create an energy community grouping together the present and future activities in the PCED area, identification of temporary and permanent marginal areas for PV installations to power the community;
SP3: maximisation of each building PV production to supply energy community, connection of each building to the district heating and cooling network powered by waste heat, study on the potential of geothermal mining for inter-seasonal storage;
SP4: promotion of soft mobility with new accesses, biking and pedestrian axes, development of shared e-vehicles in proximity to the city centre;
SP5: continuous participatory process set-up in the masterplan framework;
SP6: The inter-municipal company IGRETEC is responsible for the urban development of the area

Highlights of 2025

District Cleantech is the coordinating body that orchestrates the implementation of a Positive Clean Energy District in “Porte Ouest”. District Cleantech has successfully built a community of members (around 100 by the end of 2025) who are jointly designing the tools and solutions that “Porte Ouest” and the Charleroi region need to achieve their energy transition.

In 2025, District CleanTech co organised two major events: the Climathon and the Decarbon Action Day.

Organized jointly with Heart for Cleantech (Heart of Hainaut) and MC² (Wallonia Picardy), the first edition of the Décarbon'Action Day brought together more than 150 stakeholders (industrialists, researchers, policymakers) to discuss industrial decarbonization. The event highlighted concrete solutions for reducing companies' carbon footprint, with the participation of major Walloon players such as Aperam and Holcim.
Organized in collaboration with Charleroi Entreprendre and hosted by the UCharleroi Campus, the Climathon 2025 consisted in a 50-hour "hackathon" aimed at transforming local climate challenges into concrete entrepreneurial projects. The participants (students, citizens, entrepreneurs) accompanied by coaches, followed an intensive course of ideation, prototyping and validation of a sustainable business model canvas, culminating in a pitch to a jury.

These two events illustrate the engagement strategy of the Cleantech District: raising awareness and involving civil society through the Climathon, while structuring the industrial sector through the Decarbon'Action Day for facilitating the effective implementation of solutions.

But also, throughout 2025, District Cleantech organized numerous exchange moments for its members and partners, through events, thematic workshops and working groups dedicated to decarbonization, energy and infrastructure. These regular meetings help foster concrete projects, strengthen collaboration between public and private stakeholders, and progressively support the implementation of solutions on the Porte Ouest site and across the Charleroi region.

These events have also played a key role in consolidating the ecosystem. Today, District Cleantech brings together around 100 members across the five key stakeholder groups, with a strong representation of corporates alongside a growing base of startups, research actors, investors and public partners. This critical mass is not only a signal of traction; it is a concrete foundation for the future development of the Porte Ouest brownfield, helping to de-risk its transformation and to anchor long-term, value-creating activities on the site.

Charleroi is making strides in digital energy management and planning, working on a digital platform, smart sensors, and exploring digital twin technology to optimize energy systems and support its CleanTech District. Read more here.

Deployment of Energy Communities & Prosumers

Charleroi is planning an energy community in the Porte Ouest district, integrating electricity and heating solutions into the CleanTech District redevelopment. The city is defining a governance and technical framework to facilitate local energy sharing through the development of thermal energy networks.

Key efforts include creating a legal structure for energy network coordination, planning an energy community deployment, and engaging with suppliers to explore waste heat recovery options. Next steps involve defining business models, securing stakeholder commitments, and assessing financing strategies. By integrating district heating and renewable energy, Charleroi is laying the groundwork for a scalable energy-sharing model.

Key Developments in Charleroi’s SP2 Solutions

Governance & Legal Framework – A legal structure for coordinating the development of energy network infrastructures in Charleroi has been created, with ongoing efforts to define its operational role.
Energy Community Deployment – The city is planning a local energy community for electricity, heating, and cooling, starting with the first buildings to be renovated.
Exploring Energy Sourcing – Charleroi is engaging with potential energy suppliers, including waste heat recovery, and identifying energy demands.

Next Steps:

Defining business models for energy management and governance.
Engaging stakeholders to secure commitments for energy sharing.
Defining a framework for a heat energy community and assessing viable financing models.
Supporting the establishment of energy consumers and prosumers in the district.

Lessons Learned & Collaboration Opportunities

Charleroi faces regulatory hurdles, as the Walloon Region currently lacks a legal framework to support heat exchange communities. The economic feasibility of scaling the energy community is still uncertain and requires further assessment. Since the district is in early development stages, implementation also depends on future buildings and tenants in ongoing renovation projects. Still, by integrating district heating, electricity, and cooling solutions, Charleroi is establishing the groundwork for an energy community model with long-term scalability beyond the Porte Ouest area.

Charleroi is driving the development of its CleanTech District by refurbishing former industrial buildings and creating a future-oriented energy system. Through a multi-phase strategy, the city aims to deliver high-performance buildings, deploy a district heating network powered by industrial waste heat, and implement energy storage solutions to support a more resilient urban energy ecosystem.

Key Developments in Charleroi’s Refurbishment Solutions

Building Renovation for High Energy Performance – Two industrial buildings, "Les Vestiaires" and "La Centrale", are undergoing complete refurbishment. The aim is to deliver future-ready buildings that anchor the new CleanTech District.
District Heating Powered by Industrial Waste Heat – A new heating network is being designed to recover and distribute excess heat from nearby industries to buildings in the new district and the city.
Energy Storage Deployment – Plans are underway to integrate hydrogen and electrical battery storage, ensuring stable and flexible energy use in the district.
Multi-Actor Coordination – Key players include Igretec (coordination), the City of Charleroi, CleanTech District, private investors (Ceneo, Karno), and regional authorities providing funding and strategic support.

Next Steps

Finalize the refurbishment plans for both buildings and begin permitting and construction phases.
Complete site depollution and secure land acquisition.
Develop and permit the district heating network, starting construction in 2027.
Integrate storage and innovative energy technologies into the wider energy planning of the CleanTech District.

Lessons Learned

Strategic Planning Anchors the District – The two building refurbishments are central to the district’s rollout. Delays in permitting, depollution, or land transfer impact the entire development timeline.
Unlocking Industrial Synergies – Tapping into waste heat from nearby steel industries represents a major opportunity for sustainable urban heating but requires early engagement with energy producers and consumers.
Funding and Business model – Securing subsidies and defining strong business model are critical early steps. Initial successes include funding approval for heat recovery and hydrogen initiatives.
Future-Oriented Energy Integration – Coordinating refurbishment, heating, and storage strategies positions the CleanTech District as a replicable model for industrial area transformation.

Charleroi’s integrated approach combines urban regeneration with advanced clean energy infrastructure. By transforming legacy industrial sites into clean technologies hubs, the city is setting a blueprint for scaling district-level sustainability in complex redevelopment contexts.

"Centrale" Building ©Igretec

"Vestiaires" Building ©Igretec

Charleroi is reshaping its urban environment through a multi-pronged SP4 strategy that links bike infrastructure, green public space, and expanded transport connections. The aim is to support a sustainable urban transition by anchoring low-carbon mobility within long-term spatial planning and community well-being.

Key Developments in Charleroi’s SP4 Solutions

Cycling Backbone – Connecting Urban Routes Through New Bike Lanes

Charleroi is developing protected cycling infrastructure within the Porte Ouest territory. These routes will be part of a larger-scale urban redevelopment strategy and will contribute strengthening the network of supra-local functional cycle routes

First secured financing sources through the European Regional Development Fund.
First technical specifications are being prepared.
Further studies for developing other sections of the supra-local network.

Public Transport Expansion – Scenario Planning and Feasibility Studies Underway

To ensure sustainable access to the Porte Ouest redevelopment zone, Charleroi is assessing how to connect the area to the broader transit system through new modes and network links.

A dedicated mobility working group was created to guide developments.
Road infrastructure planning scenarios are ongoing to align with future developments.
Potential water-based alternatives are also under review for goods transport (hub logistics).

Green Space Activation – Regeneration of HF4 Industrial Site

Charleroi is enhancing and creating green public spaces to promote accessibility, community use, and environmental regeneration. A particular focus is on the HF4 industrial site.

A patrimony working group was established to oversee heritage-led urban regeneration.
3 main functions are targeted: Industrial heritage, Urban culture events. Park as symbol of resilience between past and future.

Next Steps

Finalise technical specifications for funded bike sections.
Engage stakeholders in public transport planning.
Spatial programming for the HF4 industrial site.

Lessons Learned

Integrated Planning Is Essential: Cross-sector coordination among mobility, heritage, and environmental actors is vital for coherent and sustainable development.
Funding Flexibility Is Key: Rejection of initial funding has spurred new strategies to diversify support sources for long-term regeneration.
Greening as a Driver for Engagement: The enhancement of public space supports active mobility while making the city more attractive and liveable.

Charleroi’s SP4 work reflects a commitment to sustainable mobility and placemaking by weaving together infrastructure, ecology, and culture in a cohesive urban strategy.

Charleroi is shaping a new model for local climate action by bringing together academia, industry, investors, start-ups and public actors within the District CleanTech initiative. This SP5 solution aims to foster co-creation and knowledge exchange by building a collaborative cleantech campus that supports sustainable innovation at scale.

Key Developments in Charleroi’s SP5 Solution

District CleanTech – Building a Local Innovation Ecosystem

Charleroi has fully completed the planning phase for its District CleanTech initiative, which unites over 50 local organisations around shared goals of energy transition, circular economy, and sustainable construction.

The initiative engages key actors including universities (UMons, ULiège, ULB,...), research centres (Cenaero, VKI, Sirris,…), start-ups, investors and major companies (John Cockerill, Industeel, Engie, AGC, Thales,..) to boost innovative solutions and support energy transition of industrial players.

The initiative organises regular exchanges called ‘Meet the leaders of change’ to give its members the opportunity to (re)discover visionary projects, talk to their founders and strengthen innovation within the Cleantech ecosytem.

3rd Session on circularity precast concrete

District CleanTech and Igretec are leading coordination and ecosystem development, while concrete projects are being identified and studied for their potential integration into the area’s broader regeneration plan (Porte Ouest).

Integration of innovative projects in the planning for the refurbishment of “La Centrale” and “Les Vestiaires” buildings.

Next Steps

Continue co-creation workshops with all stakeholders to update the roadmap and shape project priorities.
Begin phased activation of the ecosystem in the “Vestiaire” building as renovations progress.
Integration of innovative projects for the urban planning of the District CleanTech campus
Continue coordination of the District CleanTech network, aligning new initiatives with shared goals.

Lessons Learned

Ecosystem strength comes from diversity: Bringing together stakeholders across government, academia, business, and finance has created a dynamic foundation for innovation.
Shared infrastructure and co-location encourage synergies and reduce duplication of efforts.
The MIT REAP methodology has been a useful reference in designing the ecosystem’s structure and stakeholder engagement strategy.

Charleroi’s SP5 approach shows how cities can catalyse climate innovation by creating a common space for collaboration, where research, entrepreneurship, and public policy come together to accelerate sustainable urban transformation.

As a public urban developer, Igretec coordinates the strategic committee for the implementation of the Porte Ouest master plan, including the economic redevelopment of the industrial wasteland and its ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025. The committee manages the overall economic and sustainable development strategy for the Porte Ouest area. A dedicated development body, District CleanTech, has been created to implement and stimulate new solutions/projects/infrastructures in the Porte Ouest area, supporting the PCED development.

Key Developments in Charleroi’s SP6 Solutions

Establishment of the Strategic Committee (Ville de Charleroi, Igretec, Soresic - a special purpose company for wasteland acquisition and reconversion) to implement the Porte Ouest master plan and its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050
Creation of District Cleantech: developer of the cleantech ecosystem to support and accelerate the industrialisation of the Charleroi region on decarbonisation and transition by converting industrial land into strategic cleantech platforms, combining actors, infrastructures and projects in Porte Ouest (District CleanTech campus)
Formation of an energy working group (District CleanTech, City of Charleroi, Igretec) reporting to the strategic committee for the planning and implementation of the PCED on the CleanTech Campus
Launch of a platform to accelerate innovation, enhance attractiveness, promote entrepreneurship and develop talents around three major themes (H2/CCU/energy) related to the transition towards green energy and decarbonisation

Challenges and Risks

• The dynamic around the new ecosystem and the development PCED
• The timeframe in implementing the first energy projects and infrastructures

Next Steps

• Support the development of specific energy infrastructures
• Consolidate a portfolio of concrete and strategic projects

Lessons Learned

• A clear governance and early engagement of a variety of stakeholders help to innovate and to drive sustainable objectives

Charleroi is establishing structured governance and a dedicated development body, helping to coordinate local initiatives and sustainable growth in the Porte Ouest area. Lessons from early engagement and innovative projects (through launch of the strategic platform) provide a foundation for successful long-term deployment of PCEDs and other initiatives.

In Charleroi, the net-zero carbon master plan of “Porte Ouest” area is driving the development of a renewable thermal energy network that will harness the potential of waste, geothermal, and aquathermal energy sources. The project, led by the City of Charleroi in partnership with Igretec, district heating developers, local industries, and future SMEs, aims to supply clean, locally sourced heat to the inner city and new districts in the "Porte Ouest" area (60 ha). Some of the challenges encountered include securing the significant upfront investment for infrastructure, coordinating development with the phased energy demands of future users, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to support a collective rather than individual approach to energy use.