The city wants to use synergies with the expansion of district heating
Energie Wasser Bern will massively expand the district heating network in the city of Bern by 2035. In order to be able to lay the district heating lines, the street space must be completely broken up. The municipal council wants to use this work to simultaneously implement the needs and interests of the city in the public street space. For example, measures to improve the urban climate and biodiversity as well as road safety and traffic management are to be implemented. The municipal council has initiated a corresponding proposal.
Since 2020, Energie Wasser Bern has been working on expanding the district heating network from the energy center in the Forsthaus. By 2035, 36 kilometers of main lines are to be laid in the existing roads. The district heating project is of central importance for achieving the goals of the municipal energy plan and is one of the largest infrastructure projects in recent decades.
Based on initial experiences in the Länggasse district, the municipal council intends to consistently use the district heating project for improvements in the interests of the population. If the street space is broken up for the laying of the lines, urban climate measures such as unsealing and planting of street and square surfaces, improvements for biodiversity, water retention or seepage should be implemented. At the same time, the municipal council wants to increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists and for school children. In addition, urban drainage measures are to be implemented underground and, where appropriate, traffic signal systems are to be optimised.
Loan application is being prepared
To implement these measures, the municipal council is planning an investment loan of CHF 35 million. This loan is also intended to finance the necessary positions in the Directorate for Civil Engineering, Transport and City Green (a total of 5 additional project manager positions). After completion of the district heating project, the additional job budget will be reduced again through natural fluctuation. In view of the highly competitive market for skilled workers, the district heating expansion that has already started and the long lead times for construction projects, the municipal council has authorized the responsible directorate to advertise the positions now.
The corresponding loan proposal is now being prepared and is expected to be submitted to voters in the city of Bern in June 2023.