Zelzate opens Fabriek Energiek 2.0 renewable energy center

The Province of East Flanders, Terranova, and the Zonneberg citizen cooperative have officially opened Fabriek Energiek 2.0 in Zelzate, Belgium. This new knowledge and meeting center is dedicated to the transition toward renewable energy and serves as a provincial educational hub.

The facility is designed as a demonstration project for circular, energy-efficient, and nature-inclusive construction. It is expected to host over 150 schools and various groups annually for workshops and guided visits. The center will also serve as a knowledge exchange hub for colleges, SMEs, and construction professionals regarding the climate-innovative economy.

In a move toward circularity, the original Fabriek Energiek 1.0 building will be dismantled and relocated to the Flemish Ardennes to create a creative space for individuals with disabilities. The site itself, located in the North Sea Port area, features a solar park with 55,000 panels atop a green hill created from a former industrial gypsum mine.