top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon
Explore
arrow down

World’s greenest officially opened

'Positive energy' €7 million Elithis Tower in Dijon produces more energy that it consumes.

THE most energy efficient office block in the world opens today in Dijon.

The €7 million Elithis Tower is fitted with 1,600 solar panels and will be open to scientists, researchers and universities who will closely monitor its energy consumption and production.

The ten-storey building includes a technical floor and ground floor restaurant and has been designed as a “positive energy building” – meaning it produces more energy that it consumes.

Those behinds its construction say the “next generation building” will prove it is “possible to build an attractive, clean and energy efficient building for the same costs as traditional buildings.”

The Elithis Tower is said to give off CO2 emissions six times lower than traditional buildings.

Energy-saving features include a solar powered battery integrated into the roof supplying 82,000kwh of electricity a year.

All offices inside the tower will have natural light, limiting the use of artificial lighting.

A display at the foot of the building will show the daily energy consumptions and the savings made.

Director general of Elithis Thierry Bièvre said: “The pioneering adventure of the Elithis Tower has only just begun. Its role is to be a model, not only of established progress, but also of new challenges to be met.”

The opening of the tower coincides with the week of sustainable development which began yesterday.

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France