- What is your name and function?
Jennifer ENGELEN
Housing and Energy Advisor
- What is your role in the project?
Advice and support for citizens on all questions and procedures relating to energy saving and housing in general.
I am the first contact and link between citizens and the Local Energy Renovation Platform.
- What do you think the Vilawatt-UTM network can bring to your city?
Being part of the Vilawatt network has put us in a real dynamic of reflection to boost the energy transition in our city and has therefore been a project accelerator for Seraing.
In particular, Vilawatt has strengthened our application for new funding from the Walloon Government, which will in turn boost energy renovation in our territory and perpetuate the actions initiated with Vilawatt.
- In your opinion, what is the city's main asset to carry out this project?
The energy transition is a priority for the City of Seraing.
We have several tools that will help us to transfer the project implemented in Viladecans:
The ENERGY HOUSING POLE, our "one-stop-shop" created a year ago. We answer all the questions citizens have about housing, renovation, their energy bill .... We advise them, we help them with their administrative procedures, ...
WIKIPOWER, a private partner experienced in the implementation of grouped energy purchases to help reduce energy bills
FINANCITÉ, a public partner for the implementation of the local currency
The VAL'HEUREUX, the existing local currency in the neighbouring city of Liege, which we can join.
- How do you think a project like Vilawatt-UTM can improve the lives of citizens?
In the current context of rising energy prices, many households find themselves in a difficult situation to pay their bills. The actions implemented within the framework of Vilawatt will help citizens to make energy savings and reduce the amount they have to pay as much as possible.
The renovation of houses will enhance the value of the neighbourhoods, and will hopefully lead to a butterfly effect that will encourage the neighbourhood to follow suit. Thus, with a renovated housing stock, less energy consuming and therefore more economical and ecological, we will obtain a decrease in the number of unoccupied dwellings, thus making the neighbourhoods more pleasant to live in.
We will support them in their energy renovation project. A well-insulated house will increase the comfort of its occupants, as well as ultimately increasing their purchasing power, which could play a role in the use of the local currency, which should in turn act to support local commerce, which is in great need of it, ...
