Citizen Meeting Recap: Waterwarmth Project in Fjelsted - More than just a sandwich meeting.
On February 18, 2025, citizens of Fjelsted gathered at the Common House for an important meeting about the Waterwarmth project—where the appeal went beyond just the sandwiches. The community's keen interest was sparked by the prospect of utilizing aquathermal heating from the local pond to provide clean, green, and cost-effective heating for the Common House.
Morten Westergaard shared insights about the project, navigating through the “wild and windy road” that led to this gathering. He highlighted a significant challenge: the Danish Environmental Act, which complicates the implementation of aquathermal energy initiatives. Although the law aims to protect nature and biodiversity, its strict regulations present hurdles.
The discussion also focused on the pond that is expected to require permission for the project. Some citizens pointed out that the pond does not boast significant biodiversity, noting that wastewater from nearby roads flows into it. They remarked that the small, unauthorized fountain they installed has been improving the environmental conditions, suggesting that the aquathermal project could enhance the ecosystem even further.
There was clear respect for the permission process, as biologists will assess the pond's biodiversity. Additionally, Mrs. Sara Egemose from the University of Southern Denmark assured attendees that the project would include thorough logging and monitoring to assess environmental impacts.
Attendees enjoyed more than just sandwiches and discussions about the waterwarmth project; they also heard presentations from the municipality about heat plans for the village, potential subsidies for heat pumps, and energy-saving tips for private homes. Remarkably, the meeting attracted around 35 citizens—outnumbering the municipality's three experts and one political representative. Clean, green and affordable energy is a hot topic in the Danish rural areas.
The meeting was organized in collaboration with local community organizations, with invitations published in the local newspaper on February 5 and sent directly to Fjelsted residents.
To kick off the project, temperature thermometers were installed on February 24, initiating baseline monitoring to analyze environmental conditions moving forward.
The next step is tendering and installation! If all goes well!
Further information Morten.Westergaard@Middelfart.dk