District heating infrastructure has existed in municipalities across Vidzeme since the Soviet era, but making it more efficient and sustainable is becoming increasingly important. One possibility is to utilise waste heat generated by industrial companies. Waste heat is thermal energy generated during production processes that is not used beneficially. To explore practical solutions and assess their suitability for Vidzeme, representatives from the region took part in a Green4HEAT project study visit to Antwerp, Belgium, in September.
The visit, which took place on 8–9 September 2026, was attended by Laura Dzelzkalēja, Lead Expert of the Green4HEAT project at Vidzeme Planning Region, and Arita Krūmiņa, Energy Manager at SIA “Vidzeme Hospital”. Together with project partners and stakeholder representatives, they visited several district heating facilities and explored different approaches to utilising waste heat.
Latvian and Belgian Experience – Different Stages of District Heating Development
The visit to Antwerp enabled project participants to look at district heating development from a different perspective. Although improving the efficiency of district heating networks and using sustainable heat sources are relevant issues in both countries, their previous experience and stages of infrastructure development differ.
These differences are especially evident in district heating network planning. Latvia’s experience may be useful to Belgian partners, while projects implemented in Antwerp provide examples of how new heat producers can be integrated into district heating systems and industrial waste heat can be utilised.
“Latvia’s advantage lies in its existing district heating networks and the experience gained in operating them. We know what the actual heat consumption is and what capacities are required. In Belgium, however, where such systems are still being developed, determining the appropriate network capacities is one of the challenges, and the necessary experience is being gained through practice.”
Laura Dzelzkalēja, Green4HEAT Project Expert
Examples from Antwerp – From Industrial Waste Heat to Residential Heating
Waste heat generated during Agfa-Gevaert’s industrial processes is utilised through the Warmte Verzilverd initiative in Mortsel. This project involves cooperation between the company, residents and cooperatives. Once the system is fully developed, the recovered waste heat is expected to be supplied through district heating networks to provide heating for approximately 340 households and four small and medium-sized enterprises.
At the Indaver facility in northern Antwerp, participants learned about recovering heat generated during waste treatment processes and transferring it to the district heating network.
Participants also explored residential heating solutions provided by Fluvius. These examples enabled participants to compare industrial-scale systems with heat supply to residential buildings and assess opportunities to connect different heat sources.
Antwerp is also focusing on an open district heating network approach, which allows new heat producers and consumers to be gradually connected to a shared system. This approach creates opportunities to utilise various heat sources in the future, including industrial waste heat, and to develop the city’s district heating system more flexibly.
Cooperation between heat producers, network operators, municipalities and consumers is equally important. Such cooperation is essential for turning waste heat utilisation initiatives into projects that can be implemented in practice.
“The experience in Antwerp shows that suitable technologies alone are not enough for the efficient utilisation of waste heat. Timely planning, high-quality design and cooperation among all stakeholders are equally important. These insights are also useful for Vidzeme Hospital when assessing opportunities to introduce heat recovery and energy efficiency solutions.”
Arita Krūmiņa, Energy Manager at SIA “Vidzeme Hospital”
The examples from Antwerp demonstrate that industrial waste heat can also become a significant resource for district heating systems in Vidzeme. However, each solution must be assessed according to local conditions, available heat sources and economic feasibility.
The insights gained during the study visit will be used in future Green4HEAT project activities to assess opportunities for implementing sustainable heating solutions in Vidzeme.
Photos: Green4HEAT project publicity materials
The visit took place within the framework of the Interreg Europe project “Accelerating the Deployment of Green Heating and Cooling Solutions in EU Territories” (Green4HEAT).
