We are one of the largest energy companies in Germany and Europe and have always had a broad business portfolio. With the EnBW 2020 and 2025 strategies, we have reset our course. As part of our 2025 strategy, we are pursuing the goal of turning EnBW into a sustainable and innovative infrastructure partner.
We are also expanding our geographical radius: In recent years, we have acquired valuable expertise in the planning, construction, operation, maintenance, servicing and direct marketing of wind turbines. On this basis, we want to break into new markets with selected international partners.
Our business portfolio is consolidated into three segments:
Smart infrastructure for customers
In the “Smart Infrastructure for Customers” segment, we are developing new business models, including digital models, and bringing them to market – even beyond the traditional energy value chain.
In addition to the sale of electricity and gas, the main focus is on expanding the quick-charging e-mobility infrastructure and stepping up activities in the field of telecommunications and broadband as well as other fields such as urban infrastructure. Digitalization will increasingly merge areas previously regarded as separate, such as energy, transport and housing. Our approach is therefore to provide holistic solutions.
System Critical Infrastructure
The transmission and distribution of electricity and gas are the main components of the System Critical Infrastructure segment.
Our activities in this segment are designed to guarantee the security of supply and grid stability. Grid-related services and the supply of water are also part of this segment. In addition, we will expand the electricity distribution grids to meet the demands of the future and optimally prepare them for the demands of e-mobility and further feed-in by decentralized energy producers. We want to significantly develop and expand our business involving grid-related services – the management of grids for third parties, metering and billing services or charging networks for e-mobility – especially with local authorities and municipal utilities.
Sustainable Generation Infrastructure
The Sustainable Generation Infrastructure segment encompasses our activities in the areas of renewable energies and conventional generation, district heating and waste management/environmental services.
This segment also includes the storage of gas and trading of electricity, CO₂ allowances and fuels, as well as the direct distribution of renewable energy power plants. Renewable energies dominate – led by offshore and onshore wind. This also includes further selective internationalization and the creation of a portfolio of large-scale photovoltaic projects, further expanding low-carbon generation in a targeted manner. In addition, we want to grow the gas business, particularly in the area of green and synthetic gases. Meanwhile, we will gradually withdraw from coal-based conventional generation while preserving value. The last nuclear power plants operated by EnBW will be decommissioned by the end of 2022 at the latest.
Sustainable Generation Infrastructure
Around 26,000 employees are already helping to meet the expectations of our customers and partners – local authorities, companies and citizens – for a modern, decentralized and digital energy world. Our aim is to conduct all our business activities responsibly and create economic, ecological and social value for society as a whole. We want to achieve climate neutrality for EnBW by 2035.
The present and future – our topics
We have set out our next milestones in the 2025 strategy. As “creators and designers of tomorrow’s infrastructure,” we are setting the course for the future – the transformation from a classic energy company to an innovative and sustainable infrastructure service provider.
We are close to our customers and, as a full-range supplier of energy and energy-related services, we consistently focus on their needs.
As diverse as our customers
We supply around 5.5 million customers with energy - in Baden-Württemberg and throughout Germany. This includes the sale of electricity and gas, but also district heating and drinking water. Additional to this are
Our Commitment
We earn the trust of our customers because we are their first point of contact for energy issues. We meet this demand on the basis of our experience and innovative strength, but also by listening and engaging in dialogue. We are constantly developing new products and services, for example in the field of electromobility or district infrastructure.
Renewable energies
Sun, wind and water - these are the most important resources that will pave our way into the future.
Energy sources of the future
In the field of renewable energies, we use the energy sources of water, wind and sun, but also biomass and geothermal energy. Today, we are already able to supply 35.5 % of the electricity consumed by households in Baden-Württemberg with electricity generated from renewable energy sources. This corresponds to around 2,000,000 households.
Where we draw our energy from today.
Our Commitment
In the near future, we will significantly expand the generation of energy from the wind and sun in particular. Our activities include project development, construction, operation and later repowering (upgrading) of the plants. With the help of suitable models, we offer potential investors, including local authorities and citizens, the opportunity to participate in renewable energy projects on a partnership basis.
Infrastructure
Based on our core competence, we want to shape the future beyond the energy sector.
Our Strategy 2025 sets the course: EnBW is transforming itself from a classic energy company into a sustainable and innovative infrastructure partner. In order to achieve this, we are combining our traditional strengths with future-oriented topics: We are transferring our core competencies - the safe and reliable operation of critical infrastructure in the energy sector - to new business areas such as broadband expansion, electromobility or sustainable urban district development.
Our Commitment
We have taken the first decisive steps towards becoming an infrastructure partner. The networking of our products in the development of new urban districts enables a high degree of energy self-sufficiency and creates the basis for tomorrow's mobility: A well thought-out infrastructure ensures sustainability and efficiency in the supply of heating and cooling. Electricity is generated, stored and marketed locally in an ecologically sound manner. Private and public charging stations let the automotive future begin today. Smart systems also ensure public safety.
Grids
We will continue to expand our networks - from new transmission grids to the last mile. We are taking responsibility for the supply reliability as part of the energy transition.
Grids as the backbone of energy transition
Our grids transport and distribute electricity, gas and heat from the source to the customer. We also supply water and provide network-related services such as the operation of grids for third parties. Thanks to our regional presence, we maintain close relations with local authorities and their residents. In 2019, the length of our electricity grid was around 144,000 km. That equals four times around the world. The length of our gas grid was around 25,000 km. To ensure that everything runs smoothly everywhere, our 9,254 employees are on duty for our customers 365 days a year.
Our Commitment
The energy transition has ushered in a new era for our grids. For example, the energy generated in the windy north has to be transported from wind turbines to the economically strong southern German regions where the energy is needed. Our subsidiary TransnetBW is currently planning, together with partners, two high-performance north-south links based on high-voltage direct current transmission technology (HVDC) in order to ensure long-term supply reliability.
In addition to high-performance transmission grids, we also need distribution grids, as these collect the energy that is produced in many small private units. They also guarantee a secure and reliable supply to our customers. To ensure that they can ensure supply reliability in the long term, we are gradually developing our grids into smart grids. In a number of grid laboratories, for example, we are researching how the feeding of large quantities of electricity, for example from private solar plants, can be regulated. In 2019, 167,000 EEG plants with a capacity of 4,550 MW were already integrated into our subsidiary Netze BW grid. In other projects, we are also researching the effects of electromobility on grid planning and operation.
Generation & Trade
With our energy industry expertise and market knowledge, we are developing new products and strategies - and expanding our position as a key player in European energy trading.
Reliability for today and tomorrow
Generation & trade includes the generation of electricity from conventional power plants, the storage of gas as well as the trading of electricity and gas. It also includes district heating and the provision of system services for transmission system operators. The operation of back-up power plants and the decommissioning of power plants also fall within this area.
Although the expansion of renewable energies is our top priority, the coal and nuclear power plants on the market, together with the power plants transferred to the grid reserve, continue to make a significant contribution to supply reliability in Germany.
Our Commitment
Energy trading ensures central access to the wholesale markets for electricity, gas and fuels. As equal partners, we support our customers with our services and know-how in integrating their plants into the market - for example in the area of direct marketing. In view of the energy revolution, we are pushing ahead with the expansion of pumped storage plants. These can store the energy generated from the wind and sun, which is dependent on the weather and the time of day, in hydroelectric power and feed it back into the grid as required. This is a valuable contribution when it comes to successfully integrating renewable energies into our complex electricity supply grid.
We are safely dismantling our nuclear power plants. In Obrigheim, we started this back in 2005 and have gained extensive experience. In recent years, we have also been gradually dismantling the two nuclear power plants in Philippsburg and Neckarwestheim. Our last nuclear power plant currently in operation is GKN II in Neckarwestheim. It will be shut down by the end of 2022 at the latest. We are optimising our power plants, which are based on fossil fuels such as coal or gas, from a CO2 perspective. We will gradually phase out our coal-fired power plants by 2035. In recent years, we've already decommissioned 2,600 MW of capacity at our coal-fired power plants or transferred them to reserve power. For some of our plants, we are looking into switching to more climate-friendly gases (fuel switch). This will enable us to immediately reduce C02 emissions.
As a bridge to the "renewable future," we are essentially relying on natural gas. For instance, in the construction of the new gas-fired power plant in Stuttgart-Gaisburg, we achieved significant CO2 savings.
Interested in the energy transition?
Then you are at the right place at EnBW. Together we are expediting the energy transition - with fun and innovation in a collegial and productive atmosphere. You can contribute your ideas and skills and work as part of a team.
We are making the energy transition international
Our aim is clear: Renewable energies should become a key element of EnBW’s business operations. In order to achieve this, we will work with selected partners around the globe from our home market as part of a selective internationalization approach in order to unlock new growth opportunities. In doing so, we will contribute our expertise in the field of wind power, which is in demand worldwide.
Denmark: Balle
The roots of Connected WindServices A/S go back to 1987. The company, which is headquartered in Balle/Denmark and has national subsidiaries in Germany (Rantrum) and Sweden (Falkenberg), has more than 30 years of experience as a manufacturer and independent service provider in the field of maintenance and repair. More than 50 service teams in Denmark, Sweden and Germany look after over 1,700 wind turbines. CWS also carries out complex service projects on wind turbines throughout Europe. CWS operates a modern workshop at its headquarters in Balle for the reconditioning of components for wind turbines, including gearboxes of the megawatt class.
Sweden: Falkenberg
Sweden is one of the top European markets for the expansion of onshore wind energy. In July 2018, we established the Swedish national company EnBW Sverige. In southern Sweden, the Råmmarehemmet wind farm with three turbines and a total output of 12.6 megawatts is nearing completion.
In January 2019, we acquired seven Swedish wind farms with a total of 51 wind turbines and an installed capacity of 105 megawatts - an important step towards growth in Sweden and positioning ourselves as a reliable partner for the further expansion of renewable energies.
Great Britain
An auction for offshore wind rights was held by the Crown Estate at the turn of the year 2020/2021 in Great Britain. We had our bid for two sites with a total potential capacity of 3 GW – which was submitted together with our project partner bp – accepted in this auction and this project is currently in the development and approval process. In July 2021, EnBW and bp submitted a joint bid for a site in the Scottish North Sea. In January 2022, the equal partners had a bid accepted by the Crown Estate Scotland to develop a 2.9 GW offshore wind farm off the east coast of Scotland.
Austria
We are the market leader for quick charging in Germany and are now expanding onto the Austrian market with our joint venture SMATRICS EnBW. The subsidiary of the Austrian energy company VERBUND provides software solutions and services to business customers and partner companies. This enables them to use comprehensive e-mobility solutions or offer them themselves. EnBW is thus further expanding its expertise in e-mobility solutions for business partners and can offer customers comprehensive product solutions through its investment in SMATRICS.
France: Montpellier
Starting in June 2019, around 135 Valeco employees became part of our EnBW family. Valeco is one of the top 10 French operators in the onshore and solar energy sectors. Valeco has an installed capacity of 403 megawatts of onshore wind and 105 megawatts of solar, as well as a project pipeline of 2,300 megawatts.
The medium-term goal is to develop Valeco into one of the top 5 players in the French wind and solar market.
Switzerland: Laufenburg
The Energiedienst Group is a German-Swiss public limited company with a regional and ecological focus. The energy company generates green electricity from hydropower and sells electricity and gas. Its own grid companies supply customers with electricity. New business segments promote the decentralised renewable and digital energy world of the future. The Group offers its customers intelligently networked products and services for the energy transition, including photovoltaic systems, heat pumps, electricity storage systems and electromobility as well as e-car sharing. The Energiedienst Group supplies over 270,000 customers with electricity. It employs around 1,000 employees including 50 apprentices.
Czech Republic: Prague
The core business activities of Pražská energetika (PRE), based in Prague, Czech Republic, with almost 1,600 employees, include electricity and gas sales, electricity distribution in Prague, electricity generation from renewable energy sources and the provision of energy services. PRE is the third largest electricity supplier in the Czech Republic and operates a reliable distribution network.
Turkey: Istanbul
In 2009, the German-Turkish joint venture Borusan, based in Turkey, was founded to build and operate plants for the generation of renewable energy. Together with our Turkish partner Borusan, we have built up around 500 MW of generation capacity in the wind onshore sector.
In May 2009, EnBW acquired a 50 percent stake in its subsidiary Borusan Enerji, based in Istanbul. The completion of the transaction marked the entry into a project pipeline of projects with different levels of maturity, two of which were already under construction.
Taiwan: Taipeh
Taiwan plans to phase out nuclear energy by 2025. The expansion of renewable energies - especially in the area of offshore wind power will be used to compensate for this phase-out. We have been on site with EnBW Asia Pacific since the beginning of 2018 and, together with local partners, are participating in the tender for three offshore wind power projects in the Changhua region with a total capacity of up to 2,000 megawatts.
The EnBW family includes regional energy companies, grid companies and providers of products and services in the fields of renewable energies, telecommunications or smart electricity storage.