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Stenløse South: Europe's largest low energy area

An ambitious project of constructing 750 low energy buildings in Egedal Municipality is now halfway completed, and it has already been an inspiration for others and brought about a legislative change in 2007 to encourage all Danish municipalities to copy the initiative.

In 2003 the City Council of Egedal Municipality decided unanimously to become the pioneer-municipality within energy savings, and earmarked an urban area - Stenlose South - for low energy buildings.

Technical Specifications

In the year 2007, the national legislation was changed to make it easier for Danish municipalities to make legal requirements for low energy buildings. However, back in 2004 Egedal Municipality had to make a detour and purchase the land in Stenlose South and re-sell it to the citizens.

This was the first time a Danish municipality had gone that far in energy saving initiatives. Chairman of the Egedal City Council committee for technic and environment, Mr. Willy R. Eliasen, says:

“It was ground-breaking that we as City Council could agree on making energy and environment requirements for a whole urban area. We hope to inspire others as it is a real advantage for our citizens and the environment.”

The Rockwool Group decided to honour the initiative of Stenlose South with the annual Rockwool Prize 2007.

Reducing pollution even further
Recently, the Egedal City Council took another energy savings step by deciding that all future buildings within the municipality will be required to be built as low energy class 1, the strictest within Danish legislation. The only exceptions are privately built single family houses.

In 2009, approx. 2.5 percent of all citizens within the municipality will live in low energy buildings. This will result in energy savings of approx. 2 million kWh.