Perhaps you’ve noticed how Heidelberg always seems to have the lights on. That’s thanks to the Stadtwerke Heidelberg. It keeps this city running. The Stadtwerke Heidelberg is more than just an energy provider. It is a cornerstone of Heidelberg. It ensures the city functions smoothly.
Founded in 1970 the Stadtwerke Heidelberg has a rich history. It began with public water services in 1873. Gasworks followed in 1877. The electric plant was completed in 1900. The first district heating system emerged in 1934. These services grew steadily. They only paused during war times.
Initially a municipal operation the Stadtwerke transformed into a corporation in 1970. It expanded its reach over the years. The company became Heidelberger Versorgungs und Verkehrsbetriebe GmbH in 1975. Andreas Christou led the Stadtwerke from 1971 to 1989. In 1980 the Heidelberger Garagengesellschaft mbH joined the group.
The Stadtwerke Heidelberg supports public transportation. It coordinates tasks for the city. It helps to finance them. The Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH handles the actual operations.
Since 2011 the company has been known as Stadtwerke Heidelberg. The Stadtwerke Heidelberg Netze GmbH became two entities. One is Stadtwerke Heidelberg Netze GmbH. The other is Kommunale Infrastruktur und Service GmbH. It was renamed Stadtwerke Heidelberg Umwelt GmbH.
The Stadtwerke Heidelberg is committed to renewable energy. In 2010 its supervisory board approved a wood-fired power plant. The plant cost 20 million EUR. It began operating in 2013. At that time it was one of Germany’s largest. It used combined heat and power. Six new combined heat and power plants followed. They used biomethane and natural gas.
A new district heating storage system started in 2020. The Stadtwerke Heidelberg also received the Energiewende Award in 2019. This was due to its public engagement concept. In 2023 Stadtwerke Heidelberg put innovative combined heat and power plants into operation. Conergy built the company’s largest solar plant in 2012. It was located on the Feilheck landfill.
The Stadtwerke Heidelberg participates in the Trianel Wind und Solar GmbH. It collaborates with other municipal utilities. The Stadtwerke Heidelberg plans to increase solar and wind energy to 43 MW by 2025.
The Stadtwerke Heidelberg aims for largely green CO2-free heat by 2030. By 2025 it wants one-third self-generation for district heating in Heidelberg.
The Stadtwerke Heidelberg provides 160000 citizens with drinking water. The water comes from seven springs and groundwater. It also comes from two water supply associations.
The Stadtwerke Heidelberg operates public swimming pools. It manages parking garages too. These include the Altstadt-Parkh user Kraus P6 and Friedrich-Ebert-Platz P10.
Rudolf Irmscher has managed Stadtwerke Heidelberg since 2009. In 2023 the group achieved a turnover of 632.3 million euros.
The Stadtwerke Heidelberg ensures Heidelberg is a livable city. It provides energy. It supports sustainability. It makes life comfortable for residents and visitors alike. Next time you see a street light. Remember the Stadtwerke Heidelberg.