Topping-out ceremony for the energy workshop in Großräschen: symbol of change!

Topping-out ceremony for the energy workshop in Großräschen: symbol of change!

An important step in the development of the IBA terraces was celebrated in Großräschen: the topping-out ceremony for the new energy workshop. How Niederlausitz Current reports, the celebration took place in the presence of State Chancellery Head Kathrin Schneider. The aim of the project is to supply the campus for tourism, work, education, science and culture with climate-neutral energy from 2027.

The energy workshop will be built in the style of a glass workshop building. Here, visitors will gain insights into modern energy supply systems such as heat pumps, recooling, photovoltaics and hydrogen technology. The overall project for the conversion of the IBA terraces amounts to over 25 million euros, of which over 8.3 million euros will flow from the federal Structural Strengthening Act. This law actively supports structural change in Lusatia, and the International Building Exhibition (IBA) from 2000 to 2010 laid the foundation for post-coal development.

Funding and construction phases

On September 7, 2023, Minister Kathrin Schneider handed over a further grant of 11.1 million euros to the city of Großräschen for the second construction phase of the IBA terraces Lusatia Brandenburg communicates. The first construction phase, which has already been successfully implemented, included a new visitor center costing 2.75 million euros.

The second construction phase, with a total cost of almost 12.5 million euros, will include several buildings: a bistro and a multi-purpose room, coworking spaces and communication rooms. In addition, the energy workshop will be built below Victoriahöhe in order to supply the campus sustainably with renewable energy. The newly created Großräschener Lake, which was created in 2007 by flooding the former Meuro open-cast mine, will become part of the Lusatian Lake District, which connects ten bodies of water.

The path to climate neutrality

The city of Großräschen's plans for the IBA campus include a comprehensive range of coworking spaces, restaurants, exhibition and event rooms as well as meeting places. In particular, a visitor tunnel below the Victoriahöhe will enable visitors to experience the mining history of Großräschen. The Lausitz structural change The project shows that the Structural Strengthening Act will provide a total of 10.3 billion euros to support structural development by 2038.

These funds are crucial to support the transition from the coal industry to a sustainable economic base in the region. But there are challenges: Smaller municipalities often have difficulty applying for the urgently needed funding. The discussion about structural change is intense in the region, while the Lausitz Special Committee for Structural Development unfortunately often does not adequately address issues such as industrial jobs and energy supply. It is all the more important that projects like the IBA terraces continue to be pushed forward as a symbol of change and the innovative strength of Lusatia.