BS | NETZ

What BS | NETZ does

BS|NETZ (Braunschweiger Netz GmbH) is the regulated distribution grid operator (Verteilnetzbetreiber) for the city of Braunschweig, Germany, providing electricity, gas, drinking water, district heating (Fernwärme), fiber optic, and public lighting network services. Operating continuously since 1899 in the electricity grid (rebranded to its current form in 2010), the company is a 100% subsidiary of Braunschweiger Versorgungs-AG & Co. KG (BS|ENERGY), which is itself part of the international Veolia environmental services group. BS|NETZ manages approximately 3,047 km of electricity infrastructure, 1,165 km of gas, 768 km of water, 296 km of district heating, 750 km of fiber optic, and over 53,000 public lighting points across Braunschweig and surrounding municipalities (Burgdorf, Vechelde, Lehrte). It serves roughly 250,000 residents and thousands of businesses through 47,447 electricity, 29,268 gas, and 35,096 water house connections.

The company's core technology stack centers on a 24/7 Network Control Center (Netzleitstelle) at Taubenstraße 7 for grid monitoring, remote switching, and emergency response coordination. Key customer-facing digital products include the Netzportal online application portal, the MEIN|ZÄHLER smart meter customer portal, the Störungskarte interactive outage map (built on Google Maps), and an AI-powered customer service chatbot implemented on Cognigy's conversational AI platform. The company is executing a long-running smart meter rollout — beginning in 2018 with modern digital meters and extending to full intelligent metering systems (iMS) by 2032 — covering approximately 170,000 endpoints, in compliance with the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) and Bundesnetzagentur regulations.

BS|NETZ generates revenue through four principal streams: regulated grid fees (Netzentgelte) charged to electricity, gas, water, and heating suppliers for use of the distribution infrastructure; one-time network connection fees for new electricity, gas, water, and fiber connections; recurring meter operations (Messstellenbetrieb) fees (capped at €20/year per modern meter); and professional services for public lighting maintenance across multiple municipalities. The company sells primarily through direct channels — online self-service portal, customer service hotline (0531 383-4444), physical customer offices at Bohlweg, and a network of registered installation companies (Vertragsinstallationsunternehmen). With 550 employees as of 31 December 2025 and a structured apprenticeship program of 45 trainees across 10 professions, BS|NETZ operates as a stable, infrastructure-anchored regulated utility rather than a growth-stage enterprise.

Name

BS | NETZ

Legal name

Braunschweiger Netz GmbH

Website

https://bs-netz.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Short description

BS|NETZ (Braunschweiger Netz GmbH) operates the regulated electricity, gas, water, district heating, fiber optic, and public lighting distribution networks for the city of Braunschweig, Germany, serving approximately 250,000 residents and thousands of businesses as a 100% subsidiary of BS|ENERGY (Veolia Group).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Utility Network Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Natural Gas Distribution (22121), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Natural Gas Distribution (4924), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Meter & Regulator Stations (On-Network) (EUAJABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Utility Fiber Backbone & Transport Networks (OTN/MPLS, DWDM) (EUADAIAA), Public Carrier Connectivity & Managed Services for Utility WAN (MPLS, DIA, APN) (EUADAIAG)

Keywords

• Electricity distribution network
• Utility grid operations
• Smart meter rollout
• Fiber optic infrastructure
• Public lighting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Braunschweig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grid Fees (Netzentgelte): BS|NETZ operates as a regulated grid operator (reguliertes Verteilnetzunternehmen) and generates revenue primarily through network fees (Netzentgelte) charged to electricity, gas, water, and heating suppliers for use of the distribution infrastructure. These fees are regulated by the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) under the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG).
2. Network Connection Fees: One-time fees for new grid connections (Netzanschlüsse) for electricity, gas, water, and fiber optic. Prices vary by connection type: Comfort connections (Komfort-Anschluss) include full installation service; Base connections (Basis-Anschluss) require customer-provided trenching. Combination discounts available.
3. Meter Operations (Messstellenbetrieb): As the basic meter operator (grundzuständiger Messstellenbetreiber), BS|NETZ charges annual fees for meter installation, operation, maintenance, and reading services for modern digital meters and Smart Meters. Prices are capped by law (max €20/year for modern meters).
4. Public Lighting Services: Services for public lighting infrastructure including technical maintenance, consulting, and expansion services for municipalities including Braunschweig, Burgdorf, Vechelde, and Lehrde.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BS|NETZ operates and maintains the electricity, gas, district heating, drinking water, and fiber optic distribution networks for the city of Braunschweig, Germany, as a regulated distribution system operator (Verteilnetzbetreiber) under the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG). It provides network connections, basic meter operations including the Smart Meter rollout, public lighting management, and 24/7 emergency response through its integrated Network Control Center (Netzleitstelle) for approximately 250,000 residents and thousands of businesses in its concession area.

Product overview

BS|NETZ (Braunschweiger Netz GmbH) is a network infrastructure operator providing essential utility services for Braunschweig. The core offering consists of operating and maintaining electricity, gas, drinking water, and district heating distribution networks, complemented by fiber optic (FTTH) network expansion. Key customer-facing products include Smart Meter (intelligentes Messsystem) and digital meter infrastructure for the digital energy transition, supported by the MEIN|ZÄHLER online customer portal and the Netzportal for registration services. Additional services span EV charging infrastructure (wallboxes), network connections for residential and commercial customers, public lighting management, 24/7 emergency services, construction support (temporary power/water), meter testing, and the Störungskarte disturbance mapping system. The company operates approximately 3,000 km of electricity network, 296 km of district heating, 768 km of water network, and 555 km of dark fiber, serving around 550 employees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Smart Meter (Intelligentes Messsystem) Intelligent measurement systems that digitally record electricity consumption, can send and receive data via a communication gateway, and support the energy transition. BS|NETZ operates as the default meter operator (grundzuständiger Messstellenbetreiber) for Braunschweig.
• Digital Meter (Moderne Messeinrichtung) Modern digital electricity meters that record consumption and display daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly consumption values for the past 24 months, helping customers monitor their energy usage. Annual fee capped at €20.
• Netzportal (Network Portal) Online self-service portal for registering network connections, wallboxes, PV systems, and construction services. Used by builders, architects, planners, and installers to submit applications for electricity, gas, water, district heating, and telecommunications connections.
• MEIN|ZÄHLER (My Meter Portal) Online customer portal for viewing Smart Meter device data, consumption history, and meter readings via PC, smartphone, or tablet.
• Entstörungsdienst (24/7 Emergency Service) Round-the-clock emergency service available 365 days a year for reporting and addressing electricity, gas, water, district heating, and public lighting outages in the Braunschweig network area.
• Netzanschlüsse (Network Connections) Connection of residential and commercial properties to the public supply network for electricity, gas, drinking water, district heating, and fiber optics, with Comfort (full installation) and Base (customer-provided trenching) options.
• Glasfasernetz/FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home Network) Fiber optic network expansion (FTTH) for new development areas and commercial zones in Braunschweig, including 555 km of dark fiber network and ongoing FTTH construction for residential and business customers.
• Öffentliche Beleuchtung (Public Lighting) Operation and maintenance of public lighting infrastructure including street lighting, tunnel illumination, and artistic illuminations, serving over 53,000 light points across multiple municipalities (Braunschweig, Burgdorf, Vechelde, Lehrte).
• Zählerprüfungen (Meter Testing) State-recognized testing facility for electricity, gas, heat, and water meters to verify measurement accuracy and quality, offering official meter inspection services for residential and business customers.
• Bauwasser/Baustrom (Construction Water/Power) Temporary construction water and electricity supply services for building sites, with Comfort and Base variants including meter rental and monthly inspections.
• Wallbox/Ladesäule Registration (EV Charging) Registration and approval service for wallboxes up to 12 kW (notification required) and charging equipment over 12 kW (approval required), supporting electromobility infrastructure integration into the Braunschweig grid.
• Leitungsauskunft (Cable Conduit Information) Online system for obtaining information about underground utility lines and infrastructure, available for registered commercial customers and private individuals in Braunschweig and surrounding municipalities.
• Technische Dienstleistungen (Technical Services for Business Customers) Technical services including event power supply, services for electrical/gas/water networks, fiber optics, digital management and documentation, and meter inspections for business customers.
• Störungskarte (Disturbance Map) Interactive Google Maps-based display showing current supply interruptions in Braunschweig for electricity, natural gas, water, and district heating, allowing customers to check outage locations in real time.

Quantifiable outcome

• 125 years of uninterrupted electricity supply service to Braunschweig since 1899
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Veolia (Veolia Gruppe)coreOthersBS|NETZ is a 100% subsidiary of Braunschweiger Versorgungs-AG & Co. KG (BS|ENERGY), which is part of the international Veolia Group, a leading environmental services company. Veolia provides access to international best practices, capital resources, and career development opportunities across the Veolia network worldwide.
• Dual Career Netzwerk SüdOstNiedersachsenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support dual-career couples relocating to the Braunschweig region. When an employee is recruited, their partner receives support in finding employment opportunities in the region through this network.
• best choice BraunschweigminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBS|ENERGY Group is a partner of the 'best choice' initiative that brings together business, science, and city resources to attract talent nationally and internationally to the Braunschweig region.
• Hansefit (Corporate Fitness)minorOthersCorporate fitness partnership with Hansefit, a network of over 1,400 fitness studios, swimming pools, and sports facilities nationwide. Employees receive access to unlimited sports activities across the Hansefit network.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SWM Infrastruktur GmbH & Co. KG: SWM Infrastruktur is the network-infrastructure subsidiary of Stadtwerke München, operating Munich's electricity, district heating, gas, and water grids. Comparable as a multi-utility DSO within a single municipal concession, with a similarly integrated Netzleitstelle and municipal owner structure.
• Avacon AG: Avacon is a major E.ON-subsidiary DSO operating electricity and gas distribution networks across Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and northern Hesse. Direct geographic overlap (Lower Saxony) and an essentially identical role: regulated Verteilnetzbetreiber with concession-area exclusivity, smart-meter rollout, and grid-fee revenue model.
• N-ERGIE Netz GmbH: N-ERGIE Netz is the regulated distribution network operator serving the Nuremberg/Franken region, operating electricity, gas, and water networks. Directly comparable mid-sized municipal DSO with grid-fee revenue model and similar GmbH structure under a Stadtwerke-style parent.
• LEW Verteilnetz GmbH: LEW Verteilnetz is the regulated DSO for the Allgäu region in Bavaria, part of the Lechwerke group. Comparable mid-sized concession-area DSO operating electricity (and ancillary) grids with similar smart-meter and grid-fee revenue model.
• Mainzer Netze GmbH: Mainzer Netze is the municipal network operator of Stadtwerke Mainz, operating electricity, gas, water, and heating grids within the Mainz concession. Closely comparable mid-city German DSO in scale, services, and regulatory posture.
• Netze BW GmbH: Netze BW is the regulated distribution network operator of EnBW, operating electricity, gas, and water networks in Baden-Württemberg. Same regulated-utility structure as BS|NETZ, with comparable responsibilities across distribution, network connections, and basic meter operation.
• EWE NETZ GmbH: EWE NETZ is one of Germany's largest regulated distribution network operators, operating electricity, gas, and fiber networks across northern Germany. Directly comparable to BS|NETZ in mandate (regulated multi-utility DSO), regulatory framework (EnWG/Bundesnetzagentur), and product set (grid fees, meter operations, smart meter rollout).
• Bayernwerk Netz GmbH: Bayernwerk Netz is E.ON's largest German distribution network operator, running electricity and gas grids across Bavaria. Comparable in being a Veolia/E.ON-style multi-utility DSO under the same German regulatory framework, with a substantially larger customer base (~7 million connections).

Emerging players

• Discovergy GmbH: Discovergy is a leading German smart-meter and energy-data services provider operating as an alternative Messstellenbetreiber. Comparable emerging competitor to BS|NETZ on the smart-meter / energy-data layer of the regulated value chain.

Broad incumbents

• Veolia Deutschland (Veolia GmbH): Veolia is BS|NETZ's ultimate parent via BS|ENERGY and operates environmental-services infrastructure (water, waste, district heating) across Germany. Relevant as the broader incumbent that controls BS|NETZ and across whose network operational best practices can be shared.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6-ZJnekxzdggpRkT8zt5qA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/braunschweiger-netz-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 BS | NETZ