Powering Thuringia for nearly a century that’s the legacy of Thuringer Energie AG. Right here in Erfurt we stand before its headquarters a testament to its enduring presence.
Thuringer Energie AG wasn’t born overnight. Its roots trace back to 1923. The Thuringenwerk a pioneering endeavor aimed at unifying Thuringia’s fragmented electricity supply was established. Imagine the challenges of coordinating seven separate states into a single energy grid. This bold vision involved intense negotiations spanning two Thuringian parliaments. Finally on October 17 1923 the Thuringian State Electricity Supply AG was born in Weimar. It was a courageous step particularly given the hyperinflation of the time.
The Erfurt power plant a key player was separated from city operations in 1924. It became part of a new company the Grosskraftwerk Erfurt AG. By 1924 crucial 50-kV lines and substations were already operational in Erfurt Weimar and Apolda. The connection of the Zeiss line to the grid was a significant step. Expansion continued steadily. However the Second World War interrupted progress. The company’s trajectory altered in 1948. Nationalization transferred control to the VVB Energiebezirk Sud.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall the energy combines of Erfurt Gera and Suhl were privatized. They became independent corporations in 1990. Initially the focus was on separate management of electricity and gas supplies. But the three electricity suppliers ENAG OTEV and SEAG couldn’t compete economically. Despite declining sales they still needed major modernization investments. A merger was the solution.
The Bayernwerk acquired a majority stake in the three companies leading to the formation of TEAG in 1993/94. This combined enterprise initially employed 3500 people. It covered most of Thuringia. By 1996 TEAG turned a profit. By 2005 it had merged with GVT the gas supply company. This resulted in a strong regional energy provider. A later acquisition by E.ON gave it a different look. Later it was remunicipalized. Today it’s mostly owned by Thuringian cities and communities.
Thuringer Energie AG continues its evolution. It now offers a wider range of services. These include electromobility and decentralized energy storage. It’s also involved in telecommunications services. Even further back its support of the Thuringian literature prize and its sponsorship of a leading cycling team were gestures that went beyond energy alone. This is the Thuringer Energie story. A story of innovation resilience and commitment to the people and the region it serves. A story that’s written day by day. Here in Erfurt.