Swiss sign agreement to build China’s first zero-energy building

The technology is already well established in Switzerland by the Minergie A standard used in buildings like the Federal Institute for water supply, wastewater treatment and water pollution control (EAWAG). Keystone

Switzerland’s minister for energy Doris Leuthard oversaw the signing of a declaration to build a zero-energy building in Beijing using Swiss cleantech technology. 

The project called “Swiss House Sunlon” is backed by Swiss companies and will be the first zero energy dwelling in China. The technology used in the building will come from the Swiss cleantech sector and is meant to serve as a showcase for Swiss innovation in the country. 

The agreement was signed on Thursday in the presence of Leuthard by the Swiss companies and the Chinese partner New Legend. 

According to the La Liberté paper, the four-storey building will serve as an office for Swiss, Chinese and foreign small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and will have a floor space of almost 18,000 square metres. There will also be conference rooms, exhibition areas and a space for shops. The project cost is estimated at CHF140 million ($141 million). 

The building will be PlusEnergy certified, which means it will produce as much energy as it consumes via technologies already well established in Switzerland by the Minergie A standardExternal link. The project still needs to be approved by the local authorities. 

Following the official signing of the declaration of intent, a Swiss architecture firm will present the concept to the Beijing authorities.