The rollout of fiber optics is moving at lightning speed, but even within this digital acceleration there is room for sustainability. Eurofiber and Circet are taking an important step in that direction with their first zero-emission construction site in Asse. This pilot project demonstrates that infrastructure work can be carried out in a more environmentally friendly and quieter way, without compromising efficiency.
Sustainability in practice, not just paper
“We want to make sustainability a reality not only on paper, but also in the field,” says Patrick Block, Head of Transformation and ESG Lead at Circet Belgium. “With this test we are exploring how we can make our day-to-day activities more sustainable, from using electric machinery to reducing emissions and noise pollution on site.”
During the pilot project, an electric excavator was deployed to test feasibility and efficiency in practice. Both the field teams and nearby businesses immediately noticed the benefits: less noise, no exhaust fumes, and a more pleasant working environment.
“We want to make sustainability a reality not only on paper, but also in the field.”
- Patrick Block, Head of Transformation en ESG Lead
Positive experiences on site
“The insights from this test will help us move toward fully electric construction sites in the future,” adds Jeroen Kanselaar, ESG Manager at Eurofiber. “The shift to electrification naturally requires investments, but it is a logical next step in our ambition to make the entire value chain more sustainable, from design to execution.”
The field teams also found the project to be a valuable experience. “It takes some getting used to, but the machines perform extremely well,” says Jamal Markab, Project Manager at Circet. “Working without noise and diesel fumes makes a huge difference. It’s clear that this is the future of our sector.”
The results of the pilot project in Asse are now being further analyzed. Based on these insights, Eurofiber and Circet will determine how electric construction sites can be rolled out more widely across Belgium.