Dortmunder Netz

What Dortmunder Netz does

Dortmunder Netz GmbH (DONETZ) is a regulated distribution network operator headquartered in Dortmund, Germany, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the DEW21 municipal utility group. It holds exclusive operation rights under the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) for the electricity, natural gas, and drinking water distribution networks serving Dortmund, Herdecke, and parts of Holzwickede — covering approximately 600,000 residents. Network usage fees are set under regulatory oversight per §17(2) ARegV in conjunction with §4(3) ARegV, and the company is legally obliged to provide non-discriminatory network access to all licensed energy suppliers and metering operators.

The company's physical infrastructure comprises approximately 7,000 km of electricity network, 1,900 km of natural gas network organized across 16-bar and 5-bar high-pressure, medium-pressure, and low-pressure tiers with 9 transfer stations to upstream transport, and 2,100 km of water network supplied by five Wasserwerke Westfalen waterworks and a Gelsenwasser facility in Haltern. Core product lines include Stromnetz (electricity distribution), Erdgasnetz (gas distribution), Wassernetz (water distribution), the Wasserstoffnetz initiative (hydrogen network development under the H2vorOrt Gas Network Area Transformation Plan with planned OGE H2ercules interconnection from the early 2030s), Netzanschlussportal (24/7 self-service portal for grid connections and feed-in registration), Messwesen (metering operations including modern and intelligent measurement systems under the Messstellenbetriebsgesetz), and Einspeisung (feed-in management including Redispatch 2.0 compliance, Mieterstrom/tenant electricity models, gemeinschaftliche Gebäeversorgung, and Energy Sharing).

Revenue is generated primarily through regulated network usage fees published annually in price sheets (Preisblätter) — covering electricity, gas, metering operation, and modern/intelligent metering systems; through metering point operation fees under the Messstellenbetriebsgesetz; through one-time network connection fees for new builds, extensions, and reinforcements including construction power and water; and through cost-recovery procurement of loss energy (Verlustenergie), with the 2025 electricity network loss energy volume set at 77 GWh at an average price of €111.99/MWh, jointly procured with Westnetz GmbH and other distribution network operators. Customer-facing digital channels include the corporate website, the Netzanschlussportal, the Service-Chat (powered by Microsoft Bot Framework), and 24/7 emergency disruption hotlines for electricity, gas appliance/heating, water, and gas odor incidents. Growth levers are electrification of heat and transport, renewable feed-in integration, smart-meter rollout, and the long-dated hydrogen conversion of the gas grid.

Name

Dortmunder Netz

Legal name

Dortmunder Netz GmbH

Website

https://do-netz.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Dortmunder Netz GmbH (DONETZ) is a regulated German distribution network operator — electricity (7,000 km), gas (1,900 km), water (2,100 km), and planned hydrogen — serving approximately 600,000 residents across Dortmund, Herdecke, and parts of Holzwickede under DEW21 Group ownership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Utility Network Operations

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Natural Gas Distribution (22121), Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control (221121), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Electric & Other Services Combined (4931)

akta.pro primary industry

DER Management Systems (DERMS) & Virtual Power Plants (VPP) (EUADAPAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

DER Dispatch, Aggregation & Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Integration (EUADALAI), DERMS & Distributed Grid Orchestration (DER Integration within ADMS) (EUADAEAF)

Keywords

• Electricity distribution network
• Natural gas network services
• Water utility infrastructure
• Metering point operations
• Hydrogen network planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Dortmund

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Network Usage Fees (Netznutzungsentgelte): Charges for use of the electricity and gas distribution networks, published annually in price sheets (Preisblätter). For electricity, fees cover network usage, metering operation including measurement, and modern/intelligent metering systems. For gas, fees cover network usage and metering/measurement. The 2025 electricity network fees apply from 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2025, and 2026 fees from 01.01.2026 to 31.12.2026. Fees are adjusted in accordance with § 17(2) ARegV in conjunction with § 4(3) ARegV.
2. Metering Operation and Measurement (Messstellenbetrieb): Fees for the operation of metering points, including modern metering equipment and intelligent measurement systems (smart meters), charged separately under the Messstellenbetriebsgesetz. New prices take effect 01.07.2025 per MsbG regulations.
3. Loss Energy Procurement (Verlustenergie): Procurement of loss energy for the electricity network, including both long-term and short-term components. For 2025, loss energy volume is 77 GWh at an average price of 111.99 EUR/MWh. Joint procurement is conducted with Westnetz GmbH and other distribution network operators for the long-term component from 2025 onwards. The 2025 short-term component procurement was awarded on 05.12.2024 for 4,200.00 EUR.
4. Network Connection Services (Netzanschluss): Services related to connecting customers to electricity, gas, and water networks, including construction power (Baustrom) and construction water (Bauwasser), as well as connections for controllable consumer devices (steuerbare Verbrauchseinrichtungen) such as heat pumps, wallboxes, and storage systems.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dortmunder Netz GmbH (DONETZ) is a regulated distribution network operator providing electricity, natural gas, water, and emerging hydrogen infrastructure across Dortmund, Herdecke, and parts of Holzwickede. The company delivers 24/7 network operation for approximately 600,000 residents, offers network connection services through an online portal, operates metering point infrastructure under the Messstellenbetriebsgesetz, and manages renewable energy feed-in. It is actively participating in Germany's hydrogen transition via the H2vorOrt Gas Network Area Transformation Plan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stromnetz (Electricity Network Operation) Regulated electricity distribution network covering 7,000 km providing continuous 24/7 power supply to households and businesses across Dortmund and Herdecke. Services include network usage (Netznutzung), network data, energy loss management, and consumer information.
• Erdgasnetz (Natural Gas Network Operation) Natural gas distribution network covering 1,900 km serving Dortmund and Herdecke. Operates as multi-pressure system including high-pressure (16 bar and 5 bar), medium-pressure, and low-pressure (0.05 bar) networks with 9 transfer stations. Includes annual gas check services.
• Wassernetz (Water Network Operation) Water distribution network spanning 2,100 km, supplying approximately 600,000 inhabitants in Dortmund, Herdecke, and parts of Holzwickede with drinking water sourced from Wasserwerke Westfalen (five waterworks) and a Gelsenwasser waterworks in Haltern.
• Wasserstoffnetz (Hydrogen Network Development) Hydrogen infrastructure development initiative for Dortmund and Herdecke working toward converting existing natural gas networks to carry 100% hydrogen. Part of the decarbonization strategy via H2vorOrt Gas Network Area Transformation Plan (GTP) with planned OGE H2ercules hydrogen pipeline access from early 2030s.
• Netzanschluss (Grid Connection Services) Grid connection services for electricity, natural gas, and water including process guidance, technical conditions, standard installation systems, construction power (Baustrom), construction water (Bauwasser), and multi-branch connections (Mehrsparten-Netzanschlüsse). Available to building owners, developers, and homeowners via online portal.
• Messwesen (Metering Point Operation Services) Metering point operation services under the Messstellenbetriebsgesetz including modern metering equipment (moderne Messeinrichtungen), intelligent measurement systems (intelligente Messsysteme/Smart Meter), sub-metering, and operation as default metering operator (grundzuständiger Messstellenbetreiber).
• Einspeisung (Energy Feed-in Management Services) Feed-in management services for renewable energy producers including registration of new plants, feed-in contracts, metering, technical requirements, Redispatch 2.0 compliance, tenant electricity models (Mieterstrom), community building supply (gemeinschaftliche Gebäudeversorgung), Energy Sharing, and direct marketing (Direktvermarktung).
• Entstörungsdienste (24/7 Emergency Disruption Services) 24/7 emergency response services for power outages (0231.54497-111), gas appliance and heating issues (0231.54497-112), water supply problems (0231.54497-113), and gas odor reports (0231.54497-114). Direct telephone response for supply disruption resolution.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600,000 residents served with drinking water supply across Dortmund, Herdecke, and parts of Holzwickede
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Westnetz GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025DONETZ participates in a joint procurement consortium (Ausschreibungsgemeinschaft) with Westnetz GmbH and other distribution network operators for the long-term component of loss energy (Langfristkomponente Verlustenergie) from 2025 onwards. Westnetz GmbH conducts the loss energy tender procedures on behalf of the consortium, in its own name and for the joint account of consortium members.
• H2vorOrt Initiative (DVGW and VKU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023DONETZ participates in the H2vorOrt initiative, a joint process by the German Association of the Gas and Water Sector (DVGW) and the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU) for creating a Gas Network Area Transformation Plan (GTP) for gas distribution network operators. DONETZ first participated in 2023 along with 241 other gas distribution network operators. The GTP identifies customer needs, decentralized feed-in points, provides a lead hydrogen network, and evaluates technical feasibility for network transformation.
• DEW21 (Dortmunder Energie- und Wasserversorgung GmbH)coreOthersDONETZ is a company of the DEW21 Group (Ein Unternehmen der DEW21 Gruppe). DEW21 serves as the Grundversorger (default energy supplier) for the Dortmund network area for electricity and gas from 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2027, providing basic and replacement supply. DEW21 also serves as Übergangsversorger (transition supplier) from 01.04.2026 for customers without valid supply contracts.
• OGE (Open Grid Europe)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOGE is developing the H2ercules hydrogen pipeline project, which is planned to provide lead hydrogen network access (Vorlauf-Wasserstoffnetz) for DONETZ from the early 2030s. The proximity of DONETZ's existing high-pressure network and two existing network coupling points to the OGE hydrogen infrastructure provides significant infrastructure advantages for the network area.
• Wasserwerke Westfalen GmbH (WWW)coreOthersDONETZ receives water supply from five waterworks of Wasserwerke Westfalen GmbH (Halingen, Hengsen, Villigst, Westhofen, and Witten) and from a Gelsenwasser waterworks in Haltern. DONETZ and DEW21 jointly monitor water quality with Wasserwerke Westfalen through an independent, accredited testing laboratory. Drinking water analysis is available through the water supplier.
• Meteomedia AGminorOthersDONETZ uses temperature data from the Meteomedia AG weather station at the location of Dortmund University (Standort Dortmund - Technische Universität), Switzerland (Schwäbrig 833, CH-9056 Gais), for temperature forecasts used in load profile selection for controllable consumer devices (steuerbare Verbrauchseinrichtungen) and for the optimized gas forecast temperature.
• Gelsenwasser AGminorOthersDONETZ receives water supply from a Gelsenwasser waterworks in Haltern, in addition to the five waterworks of Wasserwerke Westfalen GmbH, for the drinking water supply of its service area.
• DVGW (Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVGW co-initiated the H2vorOrt process together with VKU, which includes the creation of the Gas Network Area Transformation Plan (GTP) for gas distribution network operators. DONETZ participates in this process to support the decarbonization of gas networks through hydrogen conversion.
• VKU (Verband kommunaler Unternehmen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVKU co-initiated the H2vorOrt process together with DVGW for the Gas Network Area Transformation Plan (GTP). VKU represents municipal utilities in Germany, supporting the energy transition at the local level.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Westnetz GmbH: Westnetz is the largest German distribution network operator (E.ON subsidiary) operating across North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Rhineland-Palatinate. DONETZ is a direct peer in scale, regulatory model, and joint procurement consortium partnership for loss energy.
• Netze BW GmbH: Netze BW is the regulated DSO for EnBW in Baden-Württemberg, operating electricity, gas, and water networks. Directly comparable to DONETZ as a regional multi-utility network operator with smart meter rollout and hydrogen transition planning.
• Avacon Netz GmbH: Avacon Netz operates large electricity and gas distribution networks in northern/central Germany as an E.ON subsidiary. Closely comparable to DONETZ in regional DSO operating model, gas-to-hydrogen strategy, and regulatory exposure.
• Bayernwerk Netz GmbH: Bayernwerk Netz is the largest German municipal-affiliated DSO (E.ON stake), operating electricity and gas networks across Bavaria. Comparable multi-utility DSO with hydrogen readiness programs and comparable scale to DONETZ.
• EWE Netz GmbH: EWE Netz operates electricity, gas, and telecommunication networks in northwestern Germany. Comparable multi-utility DSO with strong gas distribution exposure and hydrogen conversion initiatives (e.g., HyPerFerry project).
• Stromnetz Berlin GmbH: Stromnetz Berlin operates the electricity distribution network for Berlin as a municipal-owned regulated DSO. Comparable urban/metropolitan DSO profile to DONETZ with similar regulatory framework and digital transformation programs.
• Stadtwerke Leipzig Netz (Netz Leipzig): Netz Leipzig is the municipal DSO for electricity, gas, and district heating in Leipzig. Comparable to DONETZ as a mid-sized municipal multi-utility DSO with combined electricity, gas, and water/district heating operations.
• DREWAG NETZ GmbH: DREWAG NETZ is the regulated DSO for Dresden and surrounding region, part of the SachsenEnergie municipal utility group. Comparable to DONETZ in municipal ownership, multi-utility scope, and hydrogen network planning.
• Stadtwerke München (SWM Infrastruktur GmbH): SWM Infrastruktur operates Munich's electricity, gas, and district heating networks as part of Stadtwerke München. Comparable to DONETZ as a large municipal DSO with hydrogen conversion plans (Geothermie + H2) and integrated multi-utility operations.

Regional players

• Open Grid Europe (OGE): OGE operates the long-distance gas transmission pipeline network in Germany and is developing the H2ercules hydrogen backbone. Although a transmission system operator rather than a DSO, OGE is a critical upstream partner for DONETZ's hydrogen conversion strategy via the H2ercules connection.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dortmunder-netz-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dortmunder Netz