The Energy Transition in Luxembourg

Luxembourg, officially known as the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a small, landlocked country in Western Europe. Bordered by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France to the south, Luxembourg is one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe, with a total area of just 2,586 square kilometres. Despite its size, Luxembourg boasts a rich history, vibrant culture, and a significant role in global finance and politics. While Luxembourg is not widely known for its significant production of critical or industrial minerals, it has a history of iron ore mining, which played a crucial role in its industrial development in the past. Today, its production of industrial minerals is limited, and minor compared to major mining countries. However, Luxembourg has strategically positioned itself as a hub for financial services and investments in natural resources, supporting global mining companies and mineral resource projects. In a pioneering move, Luxembourg launched the SpaceResources.lu initiative to explore and utilise resources from asteroids and other celestial bodies. This forward-looking initiative could potentially secure critical minerals, albeit from extraterrestrial sources. By leveraging its finance, technology, and space exploration expertise, Luxembourg is contributing to securing a sustainable and resilient supply of critical minerals for the future.