Fernheizwerk Neukoelln

What Fernheizwerk Neukoelln does

Fernheizwerk Neukölln AG is a publicly listed district heating utility headquartered at Weigandufer 49 in Berlin, supplying centralized heat to approximately 61,000 households and various commercial and public customers across a 13.4 km² area in the Neukölln and Kreuzberg districts of south Berlin. Founded in 1911 as a power plant, the company was reconfigured as a pure district heating facility in 1919/1920, converted to an Aktiengesellschaft in 1987/1988, and re-listed on the Berlin Stock Exchange (WKN 576790, ISIN DE0005767909). Since May 2024, 80.8% of shares are held by BEW Berliner Energie und Wärme GmbH (a 100% subsidiary of the State of Berlin), with 19.2% in free float.

The company's core offering is Kiezwärme / Fernwärme: heat generated centrally and delivered via the company's own 124-kilometer pipeline network to 1,508 building transfer stations. Generation relies on combined heat and power (CHP/Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung), with eight legacy BHKW units (some on biomethane since 2014), a new 10 MW electric / 10 MW thermal BHKW paired with a 1.3 MW large-scale heat pump commissioned in 2023, gas boilers, biomass, and a 10 MW Power-to-Heat facility operational since 2015. A 10,000 m³ thermal storage tank (Berlin's largest) buffers supply and is integrated with the InGrid digital metering system and the new Systemwarte intelligent control center commissioned in September 2025. The company is executing a transformation plan that exited coal firing by 2025 (five years ahead of government requirements) and targets climate-neutral heat by 2045, with the plan filed with BAFA under BEW Module 1.

Revenue is generated primarily through usage-based district heating tariffs billed via heat quantity meters (standard Fernwärme supply terms under AVBFernwärmeV) to residential housing companies, commercial customers, and public institutions including the Neukölln town hall, swimming pool, schools, and kindergartens. Disclosed revenue is approximately €64.4 million; a €30 million loan from parent BEW Berliner Energie und Wärme GmbH was signed on June 23, 2026 to fund the transformation program. The company operates with a small headcount (63 employees per the current website), executing its go-to-market through direct sales to property owners, housing companies, and public institutions, supported by community sponsorship and local engagement in the Neukölln district.

Name

Fernheizwerk Neukoelln

Legal name

Fernheizwerk Neukölln AG

Website

https://fhw-neukoelln.de

Company type

Public

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fernheizwerk Neukölln AG is a Berlin-listed district heating utility supplying approximately 61,000 households and businesses in Neukölln and Kreuzberg via its own 124 km pipeline network, 1,508 transfer stations, and a fuel-flexible generation mix (CHP, biomass, Power-to-Heat, hydrogen-ready).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

District Heating Utilities

NAICS

Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply (221330), Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply (22133), Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation (221112), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Steam & Air-Conditioning Supply (4961), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

District Energy & Community CHP (District Heating/Cooling Networks) (EUACAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

District Energy Biomass Plants (Heating Networks) (EUAAAGAB), Waste Heat Recovery & Heat Integration (HRSG/ORC, Pinch Analysis, Heat Exchangers) (EUABAJAF), Chillers, Boilers & Central Plant Operations (BPABACAG), High-Temperature Process Heat Electrification (E-Boilers, E-Furnaces, Induction, Plasma) (EUABAJAA)

Keywords

• District heating supply
• Combined heat and power
• Urban heat networks
• Thermal energy utilities
• Heat generation infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. District Heating Supply (Fernwärmeversorgung): Primary revenue stream from supplying heat to residential, commercial, and public customers through the district heating network. Customers pay based on consumption measured by heat quantity meters. Revenue model is consumption-based with recurring utility payments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fernheizwerk Neukoelln AG operates a district heating (Fernwaerme) network supplying centralized heat to approximately 61,000 households and businesses across the Neukoelln and Kreuzberg districts of Berlin. Heat is generated at the Weigandufer plant using combined heat and power (CHP), Power-to-Heat conversion, large-scale heat storage, and increasingly renewable/biomethane sources, then delivered via a 124-km pipeline network through 1,508 transfer stations installed in customer buildings. The company is executing a transformation plan to exit coal firing by 2025 and achieve climate-neutral district heating by 2045.

Product overview

Fernheizwerk Neukölln AG is a publicly listed district heating company supplying centralized heat to ~61,000 households and businesses in Neukölln and Kreuzberg, South Berlin. Its core product is Fernwärme (district heating/Kiezwärme), distributed via a 124-kilometer pipeline network with 1,508 transfer substations. The offering spans the full heating value chain: heat generation (via BHKW/CHP plants, gas boilers, biomass, and Power-to-Heat), heat storage (Berlin's largest heat storage tank), intelligent digital control (InGrid metering system and new Systemwarte control center), and customer delivery via transfer substations and a customer portal. Key infrastructure includes the new 10 MW BHKW combined with a 1.3 MW large-scale heat pump (Berlin's largest cogeneration unit), the Power-to-Heat facility, and the heat storage facility. The company is executing a transformation plan (Strategie 2025 / Transformation) to exit coal by 2025 and achieve climate neutrality by 2045, with the transformation plan filed with BAFA under BEW Module 1. Publications and investor relations materials are available via the publications portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kiezwaerme (District Heating Supply) Centralized district heating service delivering locally produced heat to residential buildings, commercial operations, and public institutions in Neukoelln and Kreuzberg via a 124-km underground pipeline network with 1,508 transfer stations. Customers pay consumption-based fees measured by heat quantity meters; no on-site combustion is required at the customer's building, eliminating exhaust fumes, soot, smoke, or odors. A 24-hour emergency service is included.
• Heat Connection Service (Fernwaerme-Anschluss)

Quantifiable outcome

• 25,000 tons CO2 savings per year after coal phase-out by 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Institut für ökologische Wirtschaftsforschung (IÖW)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2019Project leadership for the 'Urbane Wärmewende' research project studying how Berlin neighborhoods can transition from coal, oil, and gas. Project ran for 3.5 years and developed transformation scenarios with implementation actors.
• Zeppelin Power SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral contractor for construction of Berlin's largest block heating power plant (BHKW). Partnered on the 10 MW electric/10 MW thermal combined heat and power unit combined with 1.3 MW large heat pump.
• Matthäi BauunternehmenminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction company engaged for building the new BHKW facility. Responsible for civil engineering and building construction at the Weigandufer site.
• Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin (HWR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership where students developed sustainability standards and key performance indicators for FHW Neukölln's energy transformation.
• 48 Stunden Neukölln FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual art festival sponsorship since 1999. Festival is uncured, decentralized, and open. FHW sponsors the event as part of local community engagement.
• Quartiersmanagement Harzer StraßeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSince January 2021, supports neighborhood management initiatives in Harzer Kiez including infrastructure improvements, community activities, and integration programs.
• Rudergesellschaft Wiking e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRowing club FHW participates with its own boat in the Neukölln rowing club since 1950. One of the most successful rowing clubs in German rowing federation with over 1,800 victories in 125 years.
• Stadtbaumkampagne BerlinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFHW Neukölln has adopted sponsorship for 20 street trees as part of Berlin's city tree campaign. Supports tree planting in Neukölln district.
• Unternehmensnetzwerk Neukölln-SüdringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerActive member supporting local business network activities. Supports 'Tag des offenen Unternehmens' event where students visit local companies. Has signed the 'NeuGrün - Klimaneutrales Wirtschaften in Neukölln' charter.
• Schloss Britz / KulturstiftungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term supporter of the cultural foundation at Schloss Britz, which includes museum for Gründerzeit residential culture and historic estate.
• Kubus e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported with donations including collected donations transported using FHW network vehicles. Organization provides meals for those in need, operates workshops, clothing room, and Kita.
• Aufnahmewohnheim Lahnstraße (Internationaler Bund)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides annual Christmas meal donations for all residents and volunteers during food distribution at the housing facility for homeless people.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• MVV Energie AG: Mannheim-based municipal utility with significant district heating operations including the Großwärmepumpe and CHP fleet. Comparable public utility structure, similar decarbonization mandate, similar German regulatory environment.
• E.ON SE: Major European utility with district heating activities through subsidiaries. Not a direct competitor in Berlin but operates comparable urban heating networks in Germany and across Europe.
• EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG: Large German integrated utility with material district heating operations and hydrogen-ready CHP pilots. Comparable only at portfolio level — EnBW is far larger and more diversified than FHW.
• Stadtwerke München (SWM): Munich's municipal multi-utility with one of Germany's largest district heating networks powered by CHP and geothermal. Comparable CHP-led district heating model at municipal scale, though serving a different city.

Direct peers

• Vattenfall Wärme Berlin AG: Historical direct peer and former co-owner of FHW's network connection point. Operates district heating in central Berlin, including the Mitte power plant that supplies ~40% of FHW's heat. Same customers, same infrastructure class, same CHP technology.
• Hamburger Fernwärme (HWW / Hamburger Wärme): Hamburg's district heating utility operating CHP-based heating networks. Closest German geographic peer to FHW in terms of urban CHP-led district heating and ongoing coal-to-green transformation.
• BEW Berliner Energie und Wärme GmbH: Parent company of FHW Neukölln (80.8% owner) and Berlin's largest district heating operator, supplying heat across multiple districts. Same business model, same regulatory environment, and same State of Berlin ownership — making it the closest functional peer.

Others

• Zeppelin Power Systems: General contractor that built FHW's new 10 MW BHKW with large heat pump. Adjacent ecosystem participant — a key supplier/partner rather than a competitor, but useful for understanding FHW's technology and capex benchmark.

Regional players

• Stadtwerke Leipzig: Municipal utility serving Leipzig with CHP and district heating. Comparable business model, regulatory regime, and energy-transition mandate — different geography but same municipal-utility DNA.
• Leipziger Fernwärme: District heating operator for the city of Leipzig, operated within Leipziger Gruppe. Similar municipal CHP + district heating model in eastern Germany; comparable heat-transition mandate and customer base structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Fernheizwerk Neukoelln