Powering Leipzig since 1838. That’s the legacy of Stadtwerke Leipzig GmbH. Leipzig’s energy provider. We stand before a cornerstone of this city’s infrastructure.
Stadtwerke Leipzig GmbH provides electricity, natural gas, and district heating. It is a vital municipal energy supplier. The company’s roots stretch back to the 19th century. Its evolution mirrors Leipzig’s own growth.
Let’s rewind to 1836. Leipzig’s city council decided to build a gas lighting facility. Two years later in 1838, it began operation. Imagine the scene. Gas lamps illuminating Leipzig’s streets for the first time. By 1840, 877 public flames flickered across Leipzig. They lit up trade fair buildings, hotels, and restaurants. Sixty private customers also enjoyed this new convenience. By 1870, the gas works powered around 2,000 streetlights. The demand grew rapidly.
In 1885, a second municipal gas plant was completed in Connewitz. The original plant was straining. Leipzig needed more power. Then in 1895, the first municipal electricity plant was founded. A new era dawned. 1912 marked another milestone. District heating was supplied to public facilities for the first time.
The Stadtwerke Leipzig dissolved in 1949 after World War II. A merger of municipal companies formed the KWU. In 1954, VEB Energieversorgung Leipzig was founded. This followed the opening of the KEW power plants. Leipzig completed its DC conversion in 1971. The “Max Reimann” gas coking plant fed the city’s gas network. It was gradually shut down from 1977.
After reunification in 1990, Stadtwerke Wärmeversorgung und Anlagenreparatur Leipzig GmbH emerged. Finally, on July 1, 1992, Stadtwerke Leipzig GmbH was founded. It was formed by merging this company with Kommunale Gasversorgung. Electricity supply was integrated in 1993.
In 1994, an explosion occurred during test runs at the Heizkraftwerk Eutritzscher Straße GmbH & Co. KG. Stadtwerke Leipzig guaranteed a risk-free electricity supply in 1995. Gasnetz Leipzig GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 1996.
LVV Leipziger Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft was created in 1997. It owns 100% of Stadtwerke Leipzig. The City of Leipzig owns 100% of LVV. Mitteldeutsche Energieversorgung AG (MEAG) acquired 40% of Stadtwerke Leipzig in 1998. Fernwärmenetz Leipzig GmbH & Co.KG was founded in 1999. A control center for electricity, gas, and district heating was established. This led to investments in Polish energy suppliers. The “Leipzig Südost” operating building opened in 2000.
The supervisory board approved a concept for sustainable heating in July 2019. The city aims to provide climate-neutral heating by 2038. This includes phasing out coal by 2025. District heating will no longer come from the Lippendorf power plant. A district heating line is planned from Chemiepark Leuna to Leipzig.
Stadtwerke Leipzig is investing heavily in renewable energy. They modernized the gas and steam turbine plant. This allows for economical operation in energy markets. A new gas power plant will be built at the former Heizkraftwerk Süd site. It will replace the Lippendorf power plant. This fossil-fueled combined heat and power plant represents a 150 million euro investment. Two Siemens Energy SGT-800 gas turbines cost 60 million euros. Each has a nominal output of 62 MWel. The power plant includes a hot water storage tank. It holds 43,000 m³ of water. This makes the power plant more flexible. Stadtwerke Leipzig has built additional hot water generators. These are in Schönefeld and the city center. They ensure a secure year-round heat supply. Solar thermal and biomass power plants will supplement the heating supply. Two natural gas-fired combined heat and power plants went online in 2021. They are located in the Möckern and Lausen districts.
Today, Stadtwerke Leipzig GmbH stands as a modern energy provider. It balances tradition with innovation. As Leipzig grows, Stadtwerke Leipzig adapts. It continues to power homes and businesses.