REFA
REFA (I/S REFA) is a Danish municipal utilities partnership that provides district heating through five biomass- and fossil-fuel plants and operates 17 recycling centers plus municipal waste collection across the Lolland-Falster region of Denmark, serving residential, commercial and industrial customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersNykøbing, Denmark
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What REFA does
REFA (legal entity I/S REFA) is a Danish municipal utilities partnership founded in 1980 and headquartered in Nykøbing Falster, Denmark, that delivers district heating and municipal waste-management services across the Lolland-Falster region. The group operates five district heating subsidiaries — REFA MSK A/S (straw-fired biomass combined heat-and-power), REFA Gedser Fjernvarme A/S, REFA Horbelev Fjernvarme A/S, REFA Stubbekøbing Fjernvarme A/S, and Holeby Fjernvarme — alongside a biomass procurement arm (REFA Biomasseindkøb ApS), 17 recycling centers (genbrugspladser) distributed across towns such as Maribo, Nakskov, Nykøbing F. and Sakskøbing, and a waste-collection scheme (indsamlingsordning) covering single-family homes, apartment buildings and summer houses.
The technology base combines physical infrastructure — biomass CHP generation, district-heating pipe networks, and recycling stations — with a digital layer including remote meter reading, a customer self-service portal (delivered via the Wastehero platform) and an AI chatbot ('Karla', powered by GetKarla.ai). REFA's flagship MSK asset was acquired from DONG Energy in 2011 for 92.5 million DKK and uses locally sourced straw as its primary fuel, making it a green-transition asset. The MSK subsidiary entered reconstruction in December 2020 after a multi-year period of suppressed Nordic power prices; it subsequently recovered as European electricity prices rose from 2022 onward.
REFA earns revenue on a usage-plus-subscription basis: heat is sold at 515 DKK/MWh excluding VAT, supplemented by fixed annual subscriptions (~970 DKK), meter-rental fees (~192 DKK/year), and a property-area charge of 42.56–48.16 DKK/m². Waste services are funded through waste-management fees and charges for commercial/industrial special waste handled at two environmental centers (Hasselø and the closed Gerringe site). The customer base is overwhelmingly residential within the Lolland-Falster service territory (e.g., 220 consumers in Horbelev alone), with additional B2B exposure through commercial heating customers, industrial waste handling, and institutional pricing tiers. Governance combines municipal representatives from Lolland and Guldborgsund kommuner with elected consumer representatives, reflecting its regulated-utility structure.
REFA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- REFA
- Legal name
- I/S REFA
- Website
- https://refa.dk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- REFA (I/S REFA) is a Danish municipal utilities partnership that provides district heating through five biomass- and fossil-fuel plants and operates 17 recycling centers plus municipal waste collection across the Lolland-Falster region of Denmark, serving residential, commercial and industrial customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
REFA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- District Heating and Waste Management Utilities
- NAICS
- Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply (221330), Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply (22133), Biomass Electric Power Generation (221117), Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators (562213)
- SIC
- Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Steam & Air-Conditioning Supply (4961), Heating Equipment, Except Electric & Warm Air Furnaces (3433)
- akta.pro primary industry
- District Energy Biomass Plants (Heating Networks) (EUAAAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biomass CHP & Cogeneration Plants (Industrial & Utility) (EUAAAGAA), Biomass Plant Operations, Maintenance & Performance Services (O&M) (EUAAAGAI)
Keywords
Where REFA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nykøbing
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
REFA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- District Heating Sales: REFA generates revenue through the sale of district heating to residential, commercial, and institutional customers. The company operates multiple district heating subsidiaries including MSK (Maribo-Sakskøbing Kraftvarmeværk), which produces heat and power from straw biomass, as well as district heating networks in Gedser, Holeby, Horbelev, and Stubbekøbing. Revenue is derived from consumption-based charges (per MWh), fixed annual subscriptions, and meter rental fees.
- Waste Collection and Recycling Services: REFA provides waste collection services for households and businesses across its service territory, including recycling center operations. Revenue is generated through waste management fees and service charges.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Residential heat consumption - 515 DKK per MWh |
| Subscription | Annual | Residential annual subscription - 970.41 DKK per year |
| Subscription | Annual | Meter rental - 191.90 DKK per year |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Fixed fee based on property size (0-100 m2) - 42.56 DKK per m2 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
REFA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
REFA provides district heating supply through subsidiary district heating companies in Lolland-Falster, producing heat and power from straw biomass (MSK), along with municipal waste collection services and 17 recycling centers. The company delivers integrated energy and waste management services to residential and commercial customers in the region, supported by a digital self-service portal and customer support channels.
Product overview
REFA is a Danish energy and waste management company (I/S REFA) offering district heating services through multiple subsidiary companies (Horbelev, Stubbekøbing, Gedser, and MSK) alongside municipal waste collection and recycling center operations. The core offering combines district heating infrastructure with comprehensive waste management services, supported by a self-service digital portal and educational academy programs. The company operates primarily in the Lolland-Falster region of Denmark.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- District Heating Services (Fjernvarme)
- Waste Collection (Indsamlingsordning)
- Recycling Centers (Genbrugspladser)
Companies that use REFA
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
REFA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability2 records
REFA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- DONG Energy (now Ørsted)major historicalREFA purchased Maribo-Sakskøbing Kraftvarmeværk (MSK) from DONG Energy in 2011 for 92.5 million DKK. The acquisition was completed through a bidding process where DONG Energy selected REFA as the buyer, with the company taking over operations from January 1, 2012.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
REFA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Trefor: Trefor is a multi-utility in southern Denmark (Kolding, Vejle area) providing district heating, electricity, water, and fiber. Similar to REFA as a regional Danish utility with district heating networks and customer-side service offerings.
- AffaldVarme Aarhus: AffaldVarme Aarhus operates waste-to-energy and district heating in Aarhus, Denmark's second-largest city. Like REFA, it is a municipally-owned utility combining waste incineration with district heating supply, with similar regulatory and operational characteristics.
- Centralkommunernes Transmissionsselskab (CTR): CTR operates the central transmission system for district heating in Greater Copenhagen, supplying heat from waste-to-energy and biomass plants to local distribution networks. Highly comparable to REFA's MSK plant in the biomass CHP and district heating supply value chain.
- HOFOR: HOFOR is Copenhagen's municipal multi-utility providing district heating, water, and waste services to the capital region. It is directly comparable to REFA as a Danish municipal utility combining district heating networks with waste management and recycling operations under a regulated concession model.
- Verdo: Verdo is a Danish energy utility operating district heating, electricity, and gas networks, primarily in Randers and surrounding municipalities. Comparable to REFA in district heating focus, ownership structure (municipally anchored), and biomass-based heating supply.
- Fjernvarme Fyn: Fjernvarme Fyn is the district heating utility for the island of Funen, Denmark, operating biomass-based heat production and distribution. Comparable to REFA in municipal concession structure, biomass heating focus, and Danish regional utility profile.
- Kredsløb: Kredsløb is a Danish waste and resource utility serving the Frederiksberg and Copenhagen area, with both waste management and district heating operations. Comparable to REFA as a Danish municipal waste-and-energy utility with similar business model and customer base.
- Reno Djurs: Reno Djurs is a Danish waste management and recycling company serving Djursland region, with recycling centers and waste-to-energy involvement. Comparable to REFA in municipal waste services and recycling center operations model.
Broad incumbents
- Ørsted: Ørsted (formerly DONG Energy) is Denmark's largest energy company with major biomass CHP operations and sold the MSK plant to REFA in 2011. Comparable to REFA at the biomass CHP technology level, though far larger and operating across offshore wind, thermal, and distribution.
- Norlys: Norlys is a large Danish energy and fiber cooperative with district heating interests across multiple municipalities. Comparable to REFA at the district heating and regulated utility level, though significantly larger and broader in scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
REFA social profiles
Digital presenceREFA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
REFA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
REFA subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
REFA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
REFA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about REFA
What does REFA do?
REFA provides district heating supply through subsidiary district heating companies in Lolland-Falster, producing heat and power from straw biomass (MSK), along with municipal waste collection services and 17 recycling centers. The company delivers integrated energy and waste management services to residential and commercial customers in the region, supported by a digital self-service portal and customer support channels.
Is REFA a public or private company?
REFA is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was REFA founded?
REFA was founded in 1980. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is REFA based?
REFA is headquartered in Nykøbing, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does REFA make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. District Heating Sales are the primary driver. The others are waste Collection and Recycling Services.
Who are REFA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Trefor, AffaldVarme Aarhus, Centralkommunernes Transmissionsselskab (CTR), HOFOR, Verdo, Fjernvarme Fyn, Kredsløb and Reno Djurs. Broad incumbents are Ørsted and Norlys.
Does REFA have an API?
No public API is recorded for REFA.
What industry is REFA in?
REFA's product category is District Heating and Waste Management Utilities. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAAAGAB, District Energy Biomass Plants (Heating Networks), with a secondary code of EUAAAGAA, Biomass CHP & Cogeneration Plants (Industrial & Utility). Its NAICS code is 221330 and its SIC code is 4991.