Be.SHARE: An innovative network rethinking the city’s heating and cooling systems

A European project with a local ambition

Led by Brussels Environment on behalf of the Region, in partnership with the City of Brussels, Vivaqua, Karno, VUB, the non-profit organisation Samenleven, and Sibelga, Be.SHARE has secured nearly €5 million in funding through the European Urban Initiative. The goal is to create a Positive Energy District and reduce CO₂ emissions by 1,569 tonnes every year.

How does it work?

The network relies on local, decarbonised sources:
•    Geothermal energy beneath Maximilian Park (using heat from the earth)
•    Riothermal energy (recovering heat from wastewater)
•    Direct energy exchange between buildings: Offices heat homes in the evening, and vice versa.
In summer, the system is reversed to provide cooling—a sustainable alternative to conventional air conditioning.

An innovative construction site

Work will begin in 2026 and is set to last for two years. The first geothermal drilling operations (up to 120 metres deep) and the installation of 790 metres of piping will start this month to test the soil’s thermal capacity. This project is part of the zoning vision of the Air-Climate-Energy Plan: tailoring energy solutions to each neighbourhood.

Participatory governance

Be.SHARE is driving innovation on a social level, too: Participatory workshops will help residents understand how the network operates and adopt new energy habits. This approach aims to lower bills and strengthen local ownership.

Sibelga’s role

As the public network operator, Sibelga is using its expertise to support the transition:

With Be.SHARE, Brussels is moving towards a sustainable energy future—where heat becomes a collective, low-carbon, and accessible service for all.