Electricity and waterworks

What Electricity and waterworks does

ewb (Elektrizitäts- und Wasserwerk der Stadt Buchs) is a municipal utility founded in 1902 and wholly owned by the City of Buchs in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. The company supplies electricity, water, and fiber-optic telecommunications to residential households, SMEs, and large commercial customers across Buchs and the broader Werdenberg region, with a workforce of 51-100 employees. Its energy offering is anchored on 100% renewable sourcing from hydropower, biomass, solar, and wind, and it operates its own hydroelectric plants at Altendorf and Tobeläckerli alongside the Europe-unique Agri-PV Lubera installation (10,700 sqm of greenhouse-integrated Insolight semi-transparent modules producing 750,000 kWh/year).

The business spans four recurring revenue streams: tiered electricity tariffs (ewb Basis Standard for residential, Expert for SMEs, Top/Pro for large customers, plus Kommunal/Baustrom); water supply; FTTH-based telecom services delivered through the Rii Seez Net brand and hosting Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt Mobile, Speedcom, and SAK Digital on its fiber; and solar PV installation services (in partnership with edion AG) bundled with battery storage, EV charging, and Smart Home integration. The ewb Portal provides self-service consumption monitoring, and the physical ewb Shop at Grünaustrasse 29 in Buchs serves as a consultation and retail hub including the Rii Seez Net Competence Center and the ewb Akademie.

Recent strategic activity centers on the 2023 launch of the Agri-PV Lubera project (recognized with the Solarpreis 2024 and Watt d'Or 2025), the March 2025 partnership with SAK to expand fiber into Werdenberg and Sarganserland, the long-term fiber-strand agreements with Swisscom and Sunrise (October 2024), formation of the Powernova regional procurement cooperative in 2025, and the April 2025 appointment of Jürg Göldi as Director. The company continues to roll out FTTH within buildings through 2027 and is launching the LEG (Lokale Elektrizitätsgemeinschaft) local electricity community product in 2026, extending its self-consumption billing portfolio (EVG, vEVG, ZEV, vZEV) into multi-property settings.

Name

Electricity and waterworks

Legal name

Elektrizitäts- und Wasserwerk der Stadt Buchs

Website

https://ewbuchs.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1891

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ewb (Elektrizitäts- und Wasserwerk der Stadt Buchs) is a municipal utility in Buchs, Switzerland, supplying electricity, water, and FTTH telecommunications to the city and Werdenberg region, with growing renewable generation including the Europe-unique Agri-PV Lubera installation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Utility Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Utilities (221)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy, Utilities & Sustainability Management (BPABAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Energy & EV Charging (HEMS, Smart Meters, Batteries, Chargers) (HSAPAQAF), Electrical Balance-of-Plant EPC (MV Collection, Cabling, Earthing, Lighting) (EUAEADAB)

Keywords

• Municipal utility services
• Electricity supply
• Water supply
• Fiber optic network
• Photovoltaic installation

Headquarters

HQ city

Buchs

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electricity Supply: Sale of electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company supplies 100% renewable energy from hydropower, biomass, solar, and wind sources. Revenue derived from energy tariffs, network usage fees, and statutory charges.
2. Water Supply: Reliable water supply services to the city of Buchs and surrounding region, including water quality management and infrastructure maintenance.
3. Telecommunications Services: Fiber optic network services providing internet, fixed-line, TV, and mobile subscriptions through partnerships with multiple providers including Rii Seez Net, Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt Mobile.
4. Photovoltaic Installation Services: End-to-end PV installation services including consultation, custom energy concepts, permits, cantonal subsidies support, installation, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Provided in partnership with regional partner edion AG.
5. Retail Sales: Physical ewb Shop selling complementary accessories, energy-efficient products (LED bulbs, cables, smartphone accessories), and providing consultation services.
6. Self-Consumption Community Billing Solutions: Metering and billing services for solar self-consumption communities (EVG, vEVG, ZEV, vZEV, LEG) enabling fair allocation of solar energy among multiple parties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ewb (Elektrizitäts- und Wasserwerk der Stadt Buchs) is a municipal utility that supplies the Buchs region in canton St. Gallen, Switzerland with electricity (100% renewable from hydropower, biomass, solar, and wind), potable water, fiber optic telecommunications services, and renewable energy solutions including photovoltaic system installation, battery storage, EV charging, smart home integration, and self-consumption community billing. The company also operates hydroelectric power plants, an Agri-Photovoltaic installation at Lubera, and a customer self-service portal.

Product overview

ewb (Elektrizitäts- und Wasserwerk der Stadt Buchs) operates as a municipal utility offering an integrated portfolio of electricity supply, water supply, telecommunications, and innovative energy solutions. The core product suite is anchored by the ewb Portal, a customer-facing self-service platform for monitoring consumption and managing billing. Electricity products are structured across multiple tariff tiers — ewb Basis Standard (residential), ewb Basis Expert (SMB), ewb Basis Top/Basis Pro (large customers), and ewb Kommunal/Baustrom — alongside the Energierücklieferung feed-in service and Rii-Seez Power regional certified green electricity. The photovoltaic offering encompasses PV system installation with in-roof/on-roof/flat-roof mounting options, supported by batteries, EV charging stations, and Smart Home integration, all coordinated through regional partner edion AG. Self-consumption models include EVG, vEVG, ZEV, vZEV, and LEG for sharing solar electricity across single and multiple buildings and communities. The flagship Agri-PV Lubera project demonstrates unique agricultural-solar integration. Telecommunications include FTTH fiber rollout with Rii Seez Net as the branded service provider, and a physical ewb Shop serves as the customer-facing retail and consultation hub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rii Seez Net: Competence center for internet, fixed-line, TV, and mobile services integrated within the ewb Shop
• Rii-Seez Power
• ewb Akademie
• ewb Portal

Products and services

• Electricity Supply Service Reliable electricity supply to households, businesses, and industrial customers in the Buchs region, sourced 100% from renewable energy (hydropower, biomass, solar, wind). Customers are billed through tiered subscription tariffs based on annual consumption and customer segment.
• Water Supply Service Reliable potable water supply to the city of Buchs and surrounding region, including water quality management and infrastructure maintenance of reservoirs and distribution networks.
• FTTH Fiber Optic Network Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) network infrastructure deployed throughout Buchs, enabling high-speed internet, fixed-line, TV, and mobile services through multiple telecommunications providers including Rii Seez Net, Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt Mobile, Speedcom, and SAK Digital.
• Telecom Services (Rii Seez Net) Retail telecom subscription services (internet, landline, TV, mobile) offered to residential and business customers in the Buchs region through the Rii Seez Net brand and partner providers, operating over the ewb-owned FTTH fiber network.
• Photovoltaic System Installation End-to-end solar PV system installation services for residential and commercial customers, including on-roof, in-roof, and flat-roof mounting options, optionally combined with battery storage, EV charging stations, and smart home/energy management. Delivered in partnership with regional partner edion AG.
• Self-Consumption Community Billing Solutions Billing and metering services for solar self-consumption communities in multiple Swiss regulatory models (EVG, vEVG, ZEV, vZEV, LEG), enabling fair allocation of solar electricity among multiple parties within and across buildings at the same local grid connection. LEG is available from 2026.
• Solar Energy Feed-in Service Service for the buyback and feed-in of energy from customer-owned photovoltaic systems, including compensation payments and ecological value compensation via origin certificate (HKN) transfer.
• Rii-Seez Power (Regional Green Electricity) Certified regional natural electricity sourced from renewable regional producers in the Rii-Seez area, offered to customers seeking certified green power with documented local origin.
• ewb Customer Portal Online self-service portal enabling customers to monitor electricity and water consumption, view and manage billing, submit documents digitally, and track ongoing costs.
• Agri-PV Lubera Installation Renewable energy generation via a Europe-wide unique agri-photovoltaic installation on 10,700 m² of greenhouse area at Lubera Rhein-Baumschulen, using Insolight semi-transparent modules that transmit ~80% of light to plants and convert ~20% to electricity (approximately 750,000 kWh per year, enough to power ~165 four-room households).
• Managed WLAN Service Managed WLAN service for businesses and public locations in Buchs that wish to provide wireless internet access, offered following the planned April 2026 discontinuation of the municipal #buchs4u public WLAN service.

Quantifiable outcome

• City of Buchs achieves over 40% self-electricity production
• +4 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• SAK (St.Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke AG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Partnership to accelerate and sustainably expand fiber optic network coverage in the Werdenberg and Sarganserland regions. Collaboration enables faster fiber deployment in both urban and rural areas including Pfäfers, Valens, and Vättis. The partnership shares infrastructure to avoid duplicate construction and minimize environmental impact.
• Powernova (Energy Procurement Cooperative)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Regional energy procurement cooperative enabling ewb to bundle energy purchasing with neighboring utilities including Elektra Gams, Technische Betriebe Grabs, Elektrizitätswerk Sennwald, Elektrizitäts- und Wasserwerk Sevelen, Technische Betriebe Vilters-Wangs, and Wasser- und Elektrizitätswerk Walenstadt.
• Swisscom Schweiz AGmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2024Telecommunications provider partnership on the FTTH fiber network. Swisscom secured usage rights to one fiber strand for long-term service delivery, eliminating need for parallel network construction in Buchs.
• Sunrise GmbHmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2024Telecommunications provider partnership on the FTTH fiber network. Sunrise secured usage rights to one fiber strand for long-term service delivery, preventing parallel infrastructure construction.
• Rii Seez NetcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2024Regional telecommunications provider integrated into the ewb shop as a Competence Center. Offers internet, fixed-line, TV, and mobile services on the fiber network.
• Speedcom AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2024Telecommunications service provider offering services on the ewb fiber network.
• Salt Mobile SAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2024Mobile operator providing services on the ewb fiber network infrastructure.
• Lubera AG (Rhein-Baumschulen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023Collaboration on the Agri-PV Lubera project, a Europe-unique photovoltaic installation on 10,700 m² of greenhouse area at Lubera's nursery in Buchs. The partnership combines agricultural production with solar energy generation, allowing 80% light for plants and 20% for electricity production. The project increased ewb's solar production by 30%.
• Insolight SAcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Technology partnership for the Agri-PV Lubera project. Insolight developed semi-transparent photovoltaic modules that seamlessly integrate into glass greenhouses, allowing simultaneous plant cultivation and electricity generation. This technology enabled the unique dual-use of agricultural land.
• edion AGcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegional partner for photovoltaic system consultation and coordination. edion AG provides non-binding quotes, on-site consultation, and custom energy concepts with economic analysis. ewb handles professional installation. Customers receive everything from a single source.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SAK (St.Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke AG): Cantonal utility group covering St. Gallen and Appenzell regions with electricity, grid, fiber optic, and renewable energy services. ewb partners with SAK for accelerated FTTH deployment in Werdenberg/Sarganserland, making SAK the closest operating peer in scale and portfolio mix.
• Wasser- und Elektrizitätswerk Walenstadt: Multi-utility municipal operator offering combined water and electricity services in the Walenstadt region; member of the Powernova procurement cooperative alongside ewb. Closely comparable in scale, regulated tariff structure, and renewable supply profile.
• St. Galler Stadtwerke (sgsw): Integrated municipal utility of the City of St. Gallen offering electricity, water, telecom, and renewable energy services. Same Swiss Stadtwerk archetype as ewb but at considerably larger scale in the same canton.
• Elektra Gams: Municipal electricity utility for Gams (Werdenberg) and a Powernova partner. Closely comparable in scope (electricity distribution and grid operation) and customer base, but with narrower service portfolio than ewb.
• Elektrizitätswerk Sennwald: Local municipal utility serving Sennwald in the Werdenberg district and a Powernova partner. Very comparable in size and operating model, although narrower than ewb's multi-service platform.
• Technische Betriebe Grabs: Municipal utility for the town of Grabs (Werdenberg), part of the Powernova cooperative. Comparable small-scale integrated utility serving a single municipality with similar geographic and demographic profile to ewb.

Broad incumbents

• BKW Energie AG: Large Swiss energy and infrastructure group providing electricity, services, and networks to commercial and industrial customers nationwide. Competes for larger commercial loads that may otherwise default to ewb's ewb Basis Top/Pro tariffs.
• Repower AG: Vertically integrated Swiss utility active in Graubünden, Eastern Switzerland, and Italy with generation, grid, and end-customer supply. Overlaps with ewb in renewable supply, hydropower, and grid services in the regional market.
• Elektrizitätswerk der Stadt Zürich (ewz): One of Switzerland's largest municipal utilities, owned by the City of Zürich; offers electricity, fiber (ZüriNet), and renewable generation. Useful as the upper-scale benchmark for a multi-service Stadtwerk model, although operating at far larger scale than ewb.
• Axpo Holding AG: Switzerland's largest producer of renewable electricity and a major energy services provider across generation, distribution, and trading. As a cantonal/national-scale incumbent, Axpo competes with ewb for larger commercial and industrial customers in the St. Gallen region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xxing.com/company/ewb
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ewbuchs
• Facebookfacebook.com/ewbuchs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ewbuchs
• Instagraminstagram.com/ewbuchs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Electricity and waterworks