Electricity Works Schonau

What Electricity Works Schonau does

EWS Elektrizitätswerke Schönau eG is a German energy cooperative (registered Genossenschaft) headquartered in Schönau im Schwarzwald, founded in 1986 in response to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster by a citizen initiative led by Ursula and Michael Sladek. The cooperative executes a vertically integrated renewable energy business spanning generation, distribution, and retail supply of certified green electricity, biogas, and district heating across Germany, with operationally demonstrated milestones including the 1990s takeover of the local electricity grid (now 9 electricity and 3 gas distribution networks) and sustained infrastructure buildout across Baden-Württemberg and Lower Saxony. It supplies over 15,000 member-customers plus additional residential and commercial accounts, with named organizational customers including Deutsche Umwelthilfe and .ausgestrahlt.

EWS operates a portfolio of generation assets comprising photovoltaic solar parks (Solarpark Fröhnd at 4.2 MWp on a 32-degree slope with 7,200 modules; Solarpark Lauenbrück at 8.8 MWp with 14,202 modules; Solarpark Mörzenbrunnen at 6.3 MWp; Solar- und Batteriespeicherpark Eichwäldle at 3.4 MWp with 11 MWh of integrated battery storage; plus Solarpark Herten on a former landfill), utility-scale wind (Windpark Thomasburg with three Enercon E-160 turbines), six district heating networks (Neustadt, Zell im Wiesental, Steinen, Schönau, Tennental, Tegernau), and the Schönauer Schöpfungsfenster installation on the Evangelical Bergkirche. Engineering partners include solarcomplex AG, MaxSolar GmbH, ALTUS renewables GmbH, BIT Ingenieure AG, and Energieagentur Regio Freiburg. The Sonnencent program auto-contributes 0.5 ct/kWh (electricity) and 0.2 ct/kWh (gas) toward climate projects, funding approximately 2 million EUR annually.

The revenue model is anchored in monthly subscription-based electricity and gas tariffs (Ökostrom, Wärmestrom, Autostrom, and a three-tier biogas offering), with cooperative-membership tariffs requiring purchase of 5 shares at 100 EUR each in exchange for reduced base prices, voting rights, and dividend eligibility. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the ews-schoenau.de website, a phone-based energy consulting hotline, the EWS Store Freiburg, online self-service forms, and field sales for commercial customers exceeding 200,000 kWh annual consumption. Consulting and brokerage services for rooftop PV, mini-PV, and heat pump installation complement the supply business. Marketing is community-led, anchored by the 25 EUR Freunde-werben referral program, the annual Stromseminar event, and the Energiewende-Magazin publication, with consistent recognition including the 2011 Goldman Environmental Prize, 2013 Deutscher Umweltpreis, and 2019 Charge Award for Best Green Energy Brand.

Name

Electricity Works Schonau

Legal name

EWS Elektrizitätswerke Schönau eG

Website

https://ews-schoenau.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EWS Elektrizitätswerke Schönau eG is a German energy cooperative generating and supplying certified green electricity, biogas, and district heating to its 15,000+ member-customers and additional residential, commercial, and NGO accounts across Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Utility

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Wind Electric Power Generation (221115), Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply (221330)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

C&I Renewable Supply & Green Tariffs (Bundled RE, Sleeves, Utility Green Tariffs) (EUAGACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distributed & Commercial Renewable O&M (Rooftop Solar, C&I Wind, Small Hydro) (EUAMAGAB), DER Aggregation & Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) (EUAMAJAC)

Keywords

• Renewable energy supply
• Green electricity retail
• Biogas distribution
• District heating networks
• Energy cooperative services

Headquarters

HQ city

Schönau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electricity Supply (Ökostrom): EWS generates recurring revenue through supply contracts for certified green electricity to residential and commercial customers nationwide. Customers can choose between standard tariffs or cooperative member tariffs with reduced base prices. Revenue is recurring based on consumption.
2. Gas/Biogas Supply (Biogas): Biogas supply contracts with three tiers (Klima Plus min 40% biogas, Klima Pro min 65%, Klima Max 100%) providing recurring revenue from residential and commercial customers.
3. Heat Pump Tariffs (Wärmestrom): Special electricity tariffs for heat pump systems with separate interruptible meters for residential customers.
4. Electric Vehicle Charging (Autostrom): Electricity supply for electric vehicles including optional charging card for public charging infrastructure.
5. Energy Solutions (PV Systems, Heat Pumps): Consulting and brokerage services for customers seeking to install photovoltaic roof systems and heat pumps. Revenue from professional services and equipment referrals.
6. Power Grid Operation: Operation of electricity and gas distribution networks in the Schönau region. The company took over the local power grid in the 1990s, enabling full control over the renewable energy transition in its territory. Currently operates nine electricity and three gas networks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

EWS Schönau is a citizen-owned renewable energy cooperative that produces and supplies certified 100% green electricity (Ökostrom) sourced from wind, solar, and hydropower from independent providers, complemented by customer-funded climate action. Its portfolio also includes three tiers of biogas, heat-pump electricity tariffs (Wärmestrom), electric-vehicle charging electricity (Autostrom), six local district heating networks (Nahwärme), as well as consulting and installation services for rooftop PV, mini-PV, and heat pumps. As a registered cooperative (eG), it sells renewable energy generation capacity, operates regional electricity and gas distribution networks, and offers its members reduced tariffs and democratic governance.

Product overview

EWS Schoenau operates as a multi-service energy company offering a comprehensive portfolio of renewable energy products. The core offerings include certified green electricity (Okostrom), electric vehicle charging (Autostrom), heat pump electricity (Warmestrom), and biogas in three tiers. Beyond supply services, the company provides energy solutions including mini PV systems, rooftop PV installations, and heat pumps with full consultation and installation services. As a citizen-owned energy cooperative with over 15,000 members, EWS also operates their own electricity and gas networks and generates power through multiple solar parks and district heating networks across southern Germany. The company funds approximately 2 million EUR annually in climate protection projects through their Forderprogramm.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EWS-Ökostrom (Certified Green Electricity Supply) Monthly-subscription supply of 100% certified green electricity (TÜV Nord and OK Power) with no nuclear or coal involvement, available to residential and commercial customers nationwide with Sonnencent climate funding component included.
• Autostrom (Electric Vehicle Charging Electricity) Green electricity tariff specifically designed for residential EV owners including an optional charging card for public charging infrastructure, sourced from certified renewable generation.
• Wärmestrom (Heat Pump Electricity) Specialized monthly electricity tariff for residential heat pump systems, requiring a separate interruptible meter and providing compatible supply under § 14a EnWG framework.
• Biogas (Klima Plus / Klima Pro / Klima Max) Three monthly-subscription biogas supply tiers for residential and commercial customers, all including the Sonnencent contribution and providing progressive shares of biogas mixed with natural gas.
• Nahwärme (District Heating) District heating supply via six EWS-operated heat networks in southern Black Forest municipalities, including house connection services and ongoing heat delivery to connected households.
• Genossenschaftliche Mitgliedschaft (Cooperative Membership) Registered cooperative membership giving customers reduced base electricity prices, voting rights in the cooperative's General Assembly, potential dividends, and a formal role in steering the energy transition.
• Mini-PV-Anlagen (Balcony Solar Systems) Consulting and referral service for purchasing balcony-mounted mini photovoltaic systems, enabling households to generate their own solar electricity, offered to residential customers.
• PV-Dachanlagen (Rooftop Solar Installation Service) Consulting, planning, and contracted rooftop photovoltaic system installation service for residential households, including referral to qualified local contractors.
• Wärmepumpen (Residential Heat Pump Service) End-to-end residential heat pump service covering needs assessment, planning, and installation for households transitioning from fossil-fuel heating to renewable-based heat pump systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 15,000 cooperative members
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bürgersolar Hochrhein eGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Energy cooperative from Rheinfelden that co-invested in the Solarpark Herten project (approximately 25% ownership), having been founded in 2011 specifically to develop the depot solar project.
• Bürgerwindrad Blauen Erneuerbare Energien eGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Energy cooperative co-investing in the Solarpark Herten project (approximately 25% ownership) alongside EWS and Bürgersolar Hochrhein eG.
• solarcomplex AGcoreTechnology or Integrationsolarcomplex AG serves as planning and construction partner for multiple EWS solar parks including Solarpark Mörzenbrunnen and Solar- und Batteriespeicherpark Eichwäldle. The company specializes in planning, constructing, and operating renewable energy facilities with the goal of 100% renewable energy supply in the region.
• MaxSolar GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationMaxSolar GmbH handled planning and construction of the Solarpark Lauenbrück, contributing to the sustainable energy gain in cooperation with EWS. The company works daily to contribute to a climate-friendly future through sustainable energy production.
• ALTUS renewables GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationALTUS renewables GmbH served as planning and construction partner for Solarpark Fröhnd, Germany's steepest solar power plant. The company positions itself as a specialist for renewable energies aiming to make energy production more climate-friendly while considering economic viability.
• BIT Ingenieure AGminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBIT Ingenieure AG provided planning services for the Solarpark Mörzenbrunnen project, coordinating the municipal development planning process.
• KSE Energie GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKSE Energie GmbH from Freiburg, specializing in energy supply for church communities and social institutions, served as cooperation partner for the Schöpfungsfenster project, implementing an on-site supply concept for the Evangelical Church in Schönau.
• Energieagentur Regio FreiburgcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnergieagentur Regio Freiburg provides free phone consultation to EWS customers through the 'Ruf die Sonne an' hotline, offering advice on home energy production, storage, and efficiency. DGS-certified solar consultants conduct consultations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg: Dominant regional utility headquartered in Karlsruhe with major renewable generation and retail supply across Baden-Württemberg. Overlaps with EWS's geography and product portfolio but at vastly greater scale and capital depth.

Direct peers

• Bürgerwerke eG: A network of more than 80 German energy cooperatives aggregating Ökostrom supply and joint project development. Direct peer to EWS in cooperative-led green electricity supply and a likely co-investment partner for Bürgerenergie projects.
• Naturstrom AG: German renewable energy supplier and project developer offering Ökostrom, biogas, heat-pump tariffs and citizen-owned generation projects. Directly comparable to EWS in product mix, target customer (mission-driven households and SMEs) and nationwide supply footprint.
• Lichtblick: Germany's largest independent green electricity and gas supplier with a strong consumer brand and a VPP/heat-pump flexibility offering. Closest direct competitor to EWS in certified 100% renewable supply, with similar subscription-based pricing and customer segments.
• Greenpeace Energy: Mission-driven German green energy cooperative supplying certified Ökostrom and biogas to households and businesses. Closely comparable to EWS as a values-led cooperative competitor in the German green-retail market.
• Polarstern Energie: Munich-based green electricity and gas supplier with a cooperative-style mission and 100% renewable tariff proposition. Comparable to EWS in values-driven GTM and residential/SME customer focus.

Others

• EWS Netze GmbH: Wholly-owned subsidiary of EWS Schönau operating electricity and gas distribution networks. Included as an internal peer reference for the grid-operations revenue line.
• Solarcomplex AG: Singen-based renewable energy project developer and planning/construction partner for EWS solar parks including Mörzenbrunnen and Eichwäldle. Ecosystem peer as EPC partner rather than direct retail competitor.

Regional players

• NaturEnergie AG: Renewable energy utility operating in southern Baden-Württemberg and the Lake Constance region, supplying Ökostrom to households and businesses. Geographic and product overlap with EWS in the Schwarzwald and Hochrhein regions.
• Stadtwerk am See: Municipal utility serving the Lake Constance region with electricity, gas, heat and water. Comparable to EWS as a regional utility with district heating and renewable generation, though primarily municipal rather than cooperative-owned.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ewsschoenau
• Facebookfacebook.com/ews.schoenau
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/ews-elektrizit%C3%A4tswerke-sch%C3%B6nau-eg
• Instagraminstagram.com/ews_schoenau

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Works Schonau