What Ökostromgruppe Freiburg does

Ökostromgruppe Freiburg, legally Ökostrom Erzeugung Freiburg GmbH, is a privately held German renewable energy project developer headquartered in Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg. Founded in 1986 by Andreas Markowsky, the company has developed and operated more than 40 wind energy installations, 140 photovoltaic systems, and 7 hydroelectric plants across the Black Forest region. The business operates under a citizen participation (Bürgerbeteiligung) model, structuring individual wind and solar projects as separate Kommanditgesellschaft (KG) entities through which local residents invest via subordinated loans (Nachrangdarlehen) with terms of 5-18 years and interest rates of 4-6.5% p.a. The proprietary beteiligung.oekostrom-freiburg.de platform, operated in partnership with eueco GmbH, handles investor registration and digital contract execution.

The company's primary technology is ENERCON wind turbine platforms (ranging from E-66 to E-175 EP5), supplemented by solar PV and hydroelectric installations. Project development is heavily co-financed (~80% debt) through regional Sparkasse banks and GLS Bank, with ENERCON as the exclusive turbine supplier since the early 2000s. Strategic joint ventures with regional energy provider Badenova (regiowind, regiosonne) and the Sport-Club Freiburg football club enable community-rooted deal flow. The firm has begun evolving beyond the pure citizen-investor model into corporate PPAs, exemplified by the fischer Energiepark project supplying two E-175 turbines directly to the fischer group's industrial facility in Achern.

In 2022, dual management transitioned to the founder's sons, Lukas and Thomas Schuwald. The pipeline through 2027 includes repowering projects at Taubenkopf, Rosskopf, Bildstock, FHE, and Brombeerkopf, alongside the new fischer Energiepark, with combined planned output exceeding 130 million kWh/year. The company is targeting an additional 40 wind turbines across the region during the current decade, representing a near-doubling of installed wind capacity. Revenue is generated primarily through EEG-secured electricity feed-in tariffs with secondary income from citizen investment financing arrangements. The legal entity is a German GmbH with no external private equity or parent ownership disclosed.

Name

Ökostromgruppe Freiburg

Legal name

Ökostrom Erzeugung Freiburg GmbH

Website

https://oekostrom-freiburg.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ökostromgruppe Freiburg is a private German renewable energy developer founded in 1986 that builds and operates wind, solar, and hydro projects in Baden-Württemberg, financing them primarily through regulated citizen subordinated loans (Bürgerbeteiligung) and corporate PPAs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Project Development & Citizen Investment

NAICS

Wind Electric Power Generation (221115), Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Wind Farm Ownership & Operations (IPP/Utility-Owned Asset Operations) (EUACAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Onshore Wind Power Generation (Utility-Scale) (EUACAFAA), Wind Farm Development & Permitting (Greenfield/Brownfield) (EUACAFAE)

Keywords

• Renewable energy development
• Citizen energy participation
• Wind energy projects
• Photovoltaic power generation
• Subordinated loan investments

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Citizen Investment Schemes (Bürgerbeteiligung): Revenue generated through offering subordinated loans (Nachrangdarlehen) and limited partnership interests (Kommanditbeteiligungen) to citizens. Investors receive annual interest payments (4-6.5% p.a.) and principal repayment at term end. Approximately 80% of project financing comes from banks, with remainder from citizen investments.
2. Renewable Energy Generation: Revenue from electricity generation and feed-in to grid from operational wind, solar, and hydroelectric plants. Feed-in tariffs secured under German renewable energy law (EEG).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ökostromgruppe Freiburg develops, builds, and operates wind, solar, and hydroelectric power plants in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, while enabling citizens to co-finance these projects through subordinated loans (Nachrangdarlehen, 4-6.5% p.a., 5-18 year terms) and limited partnership interests via its online investment platform. The company also delivers direct renewable electricity supply to corporate customers through power purchase agreements, exemplified by the fischer Energiepark project.

Product overview

Ökostromgruppe Freiburg operates as a citizen participation platform (Bürgerbeteiligung) for renewable energy investments in Baden-Württemberg. The core offering is an online investment portal through which citizens can invest in wind and solar energy projects via Nachrangdarlehen (subordinated loans). The company manages a portfolio of energy projects under sub-brands including regiowind (wind farms) and regiosonne (solar installations). Investment opportunities include various repowering projects with terms of 5-18 years and interest rates of 4-6.5% p.a. The platform provides document access, portfolio management, and contract administration for investors. Supporting documentation includes Vermögensanlagen-Informationsblätter (VIB) for regulatory compliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Beteiligungsplattform (Investment Platform): Online portal for citizen participation in renewable energy investments
• Yach Repowering
• Taubenkopf Freiburg
• regiowind Freiburg
• regiosonne Solar Uni Freiburg
• FHE Windkraft (Schwarzwaldprojekt)
• Fischer Energiepark

Products and services

• Citizen Investment Platform (Bürgerbeteiligung Online-Portal) Proprietary online platform enabling citizens to invest in renewable energy projects through subordinated loans (Nachrangdarlehen) and limited partnership interests. Provides registration, project information access, portfolio management, contract viewing, and document administration. Minimum investment €1,000, maximum €25,000 per project; terms 5-18 years; interest 4-6.5% p.a. Operated in cooperation with eueco GmbH as regulated investment intermediary under §2a VermAnlG.
• fischer Energiepark Wind Project Corporate PPA wind energy project consisting of 2 ENERCON E-175 EP5 turbines at the fischer group industrial site in Achern. Supplies approximately two-thirds of fischer group's electrical energy needs via a direct private cable connection. Total generation capacity 14,000 kW. Demonstrates corporate renewable supply model.
• Taubenkopf Freiburg Windpark Repowering wind energy project in Freiburg with 2 turbines (1 × ENERCON E-160 EP5 E3 and 1 × ENERCON E-138 EP3 E3). Combined output approximately 18.5 million kWh/year, equivalent to supply of approximately 5,600 households, with about 18,000 tonnes CO2 savings annually. Open for citizen investment via Nachrangdarlehen with 6/12/18-year terms at 4% + 1% wind bonus p.a.
• FHE Schwarzwaldprojekt Combined wind and hydroelectric project (FHE Windkraft GmbH & Co. KG) in the Black Forest comprising ENERCON E-160 EP5 (Schnürbuck), E-138 EP3 E3 (Freiamt Hohe Eck), and E-175 EP5 (Kempfenbühl) turbines plus a hydroelectric plant. Combined output approximately 31 million kWh/year. Open for citizen investment with 5/8/13-year terms at 5.5-6.5% p.a.
• Kölblinsberg Repowering Project Repowering wind energy project at Kölblinsberg in Freiamt, developed with Gemeinde Freiamt as municipal partner. Open for citizen investment via Nachrangdarlehen with emissions volume of €700,000. Investment range €1,000-€25,000. Term options: 5 years (5.5%), 8 years (5.5%), or 13 years (6%). Annual interest billing cadence.
• Bildstock Windpark Wind energy project at Bildstock in Gutach comprising 2 ENERCON E-175 EP5 turbines (6,000 kW each), developed jointly with Verwaltungsgemeinschaft Gutach, Waldkirch und Simonswald. Combined output approximately 28 million kWh/year, serving about 7,000 households, with approximately 27,500 tonnes CO2 savings. Open for citizen investment with 5/8/12-year terms at 5-5.5% p.a.
• Brombeerkopf Windpark New wind energy project at Brombeerkopf in Stegen comprising 2 ENERCON E-160 EP5 turbines. Combined output approximately 21 million kWh/year, serving about 6,500 households. Open for citizen investment via Nachrangdarlehen with emissions volume of €1,500,000 (€1M at 4% for 5/8-year, €500K at 4.5% for 12-year).
• Freiburg Holzschlägermatte Repowering Repowering project at Holzschlägermatte installing 1 ENERCON E-138 EP3 E2 turbine (4,200 kW) to replace older units. Total investment €25 million. Operated under regiowind GmbH & Co. Freiburg KG with 474 Kommanditisten (limited partner citizen investors).
• Roßkopf Repowering Repowering wind energy project at Roßkopf with 2 ENERCON E-138 EP3 E3 turbines replacing 4 older units. Total output approximately 18-20 million kWh/year, more than double the previous capacity. Developed in partnership with Sparkasse Freiburg-Nördlicher Breisgau.
• regiowind Wind Energy Portfolio Wind energy sub-brand under Ökostromgruppe Freiburg operating wind farms in Freiburg and St. Peter regions with multiple ENERCON turbine installations. Operated through regiowind GmbH & Co. Freiburg KG (joint venture with Badenova) and regiowind GmbH & Co. St. Peter KG. Enables citizen investment via Kommanditbeteiligungen.
• regiosonne Solar Energy Portfolio Solar energy sub-brand under Ökostromgruppe Freiburg managing photovoltaic installations across Freiburg, Breisgau, and surrounding regions. Operated through regiosonne GmbH & Co. Solar Uni Freiburg KG (joint venture with Sport-Club Freiburg e.V. and Badenova), regiosonne GmbH & Co. Breisgau Solar KG, regiosonne GmbH & Co. Freiburg KG, and regiosonne kompas GmbH & Co. KG. Currently operates 10+ solar installations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 wind turbines, 140 solar plants, 7 hydro plants developed and operated since 1986
• +3 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

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• BadenovacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Joint venture partner in regiowind GmbH & Co. Freiburg KG and regiowind GmbH & Co. St. Peter KG. Badenova is a regional energy provider. The partnership combines Badenova's energy infrastructure expertise with Ökostrom's project development capabilities.
• Sport-Club Freiburg e.V.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Co-developer of regiosonne GmbH & Co. Solar Uni Freiburg KG, which operates 10 solar installations. Sport-Club Freiburg contributes to community engagement and brand visibility for renewable energy projects in the Freiburg region.
• ENERCONcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1986Primary wind turbine supplier for all wind energy projects. Partnership spans decades with models including E-66, E-70, E-82, E-92, E-101, E-138, E-160, and E-175. ENERCON is a German manufacturer of wind turbines, aligning with company's regional focus.
• Gemeinde BiederbachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for Bürgerwindpark Biederbach. Windpark operated with Windkraft Elztal GmbH as management company. Community wind project operational since 2020/2021.
• Gemeinde FreiamtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing municipal partner and pioneer community for citizen wind energy since 2001. Multiple projects including Freiamt Windmühlen, Schillingerberg Repowering, and Kölblinsberg Repowering. Mayor Hannelore Reinbold-Mench actively supports projects.
• fischer groupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner for fischer Energiepark project. Two E-175 turbines will supply ~two-thirds of company's electrical energy needs directly via private cable. Project demonstrates corporate PPA model for industrial companies.
• eueco GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent investment intermediary per §2a VermAnlG i.V.m. §34f GewO. Operates the beteiligung.oekostrom-freiburg.de online investment platform. Registered with IHK München, number D-F-155-5JCQ-38.
• Energieagentur Regio Freiburg GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional energy agency partner for Freiburg area renewable energy initiatives and knowledge sharing.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• badenova: Regional energy provider in Baden-Württemberg and existing JV partner of Ökostromgruppe. Operates renewable generation and energy distribution across the same geography, with overlapping municipal relationships and project development capabilities.

Emerging players

• Energiegenossenschaft Hessen: Regional citizen energy cooperative in Hessen with renewable project development and citizen investment models. Comparable regional scope and cooperative ownership structure, though operating in a different state.

Others

• Wasserkraft Volk AG: German technology supplier and partner for Ökostromgruppe's hydroelectric installations. Adjacent peer as a small hydro equipment provider serving similar renewable developers in the same geography.

Direct peers

• EWS Schönau: German citizen-owned energy cooperative based in Schönau, Black Forest region. Operates renewable generation assets with a cooperative ownership model and direct citizen participation — highly comparable to Ökostromgruppe Freiburg's Bürgerbeteiligung approach in the same geographic region.
• Enertrag: German wind/solar/biogas developer and operator with citizen participation offerings. Comparable full lifecycle renewable project development with community investment products across Germany.
• Naturstrom: German renewable energy company operating wind, solar, and hydro assets nationwide with citizen participation offerings. Comparable business model combining renewable generation with sustainable investment products for retail investors.
• Lichtblick: German renewable energy provider operating wind and biogas assets with citizen participation elements. Comparable business model focused on sustainable energy supply and decentralized renewable ownership in Germany.
• Bürgerwerke: Network of German citizen energy cooperatives aggregating renewable energy supply and citizen investment products. Comparable cooperative/citizen-participation model for renewable energy financing in Germany.
• Green Planet Energy: German renewable energy cooperative (formerly Greenpeace Energy) supplying green electricity and operating generation assets with citizen/member ownership structure. Directly comparable in combining renewable operations with member-driven investment.

Broad incumbents

• EnBW: Largest energy company in Baden-Württemberg and major German utility. Operates extensive renewable generation portfolio including onshore/offshore wind across Germany — competes with Ökostromgruppe for permitting sites and corporate PPA customers in the same region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%C3%B6kostromgruppe-freiburg

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries19 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 Ökostromgruppe Freiburg