Aare Energie Ag (a.en)

What Aare Energie Ag (a.en) does

Aare Energie AG (a.en) is the operational management company for the municipal utility of Olten, Switzerland, wholly owned since 2018 by Städtische Betriebe Olten (sbo), which is itself owned by the City of Olten. The company supplies electricity, natural gas and biogas, drinking water, and district heating to approximately 23,200 customers across Olten and surrounding municipalities, operating 396 km of low-voltage and 58 km of medium-voltage electricity network, 118 km of water pipeline, and the Bornfeld district heating network (3.5 MW capacity, ~840 residential units served). Revenue streams are utility-based: regulated network usage charges, energy sales across multiple product tiers (StandardStrom, AareStrom plus, Graustrom, OltnerSolarstrom, and gas/biogas variants), connection fees, and ancillary services including electrical inspections via subsidiary a.en Control AG, energy consulting (GEAK certification), public EV charging stations integrated into the MOVE network, and CNG vehicle refueling at Wangen bei Olten and Oensingen.

The company's technology platform centers on Smart Meter infrastructure (iMS) with e-sy data pipeline integration capturing electricity consumption in 15-minute intervals and water, gas, and heat consumption hourly, supported by a customer portal (Kundenportal) and the Open Energiebox consumer analytics tool. Own renewable generation exceeds 1.5 MWp across multiple building-mounted PV installations, with the Wärmeverbund Hagmatt groundwater heat pump project (joint with IWB) entering delivery in 2027. SVGW-certified gas and water operations, Pronovo-managed origin certificates, and partnerships with Swissgrid, MOVE, and Pronovo anchor the regulatory and ecosystem layers. The company has 75.9 FTE (including 2 apprentices) and reported standalone revenue of 19.0 million CHF in the most recent fiscal year, with sbo consolidated revenue of 94.8 million CHF.

The go-to-market model is direct-to-consumer regional utility with regulated basic supply plus competitive free-market products for business customers above 100,000 kWh/year (MarktStrom Fixpreis, Tranche, Spot; MarktGas Basis, Fixpreis, Tranche). Distribution combines a walk-in customer service center at Werkhofstrasse 2, a self-service digital portal, dedicated account managers for large consumers, and partner channels (MOVE for EV charging, Pronovo for HKN administration). Two product discontinuations are scheduled by end of 2026 (AareStrom plus and OltnerSolarstrom) following ElCom directive 7/2025 prohibiting fund-contribution-based electricity products in basic supply.

Name

Aare Energie Ag (a.en)

Legal name

Aare Energie AG

Website

https://www.aen.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aare Energie AG (a.en) is the municipally owned multi-utility of Olten, Switzerland, supplying electricity, gas, water, and district heating to ~23,200 customers across the city and surrounding municipalities, with a subsidiary for electrical inspections and own PV generation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Utility Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Utility-Integrated Distributed Energy Resources (DER) & Non-Wires Alternatives (EUACALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

EV Charging Operations & Parking-Lot Electrification Management (BPABAKAK), EV Charging Network Management & Software Services (CPMS, Monitoring, Billing) (TLAKAMAG)

Keywords

• Municipal utility services
• Electricity distribution
• Natural gas distribution
• District heating networks
• Drinking water supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Olten

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electricity Distribution and Sales: Revenue from electricity grid usage fees (Netzebene 5 and 7), energy sales to end customers (135.8 GWh grid usage, 91.1 GWh energy to end customers), and various electricity products including StandardStrom, AareStrom plus, Graustrom, and market products for large consumers. sbo group revenue of 94.8 million CHF.
2. Natural Gas and Biogas Sales: Revenue from natural gas (523.8 GWh) and biogas distribution. Standard product includes 40% biogas as of April 2026. Premium biogas 100% and conventional gas 100% options available. Prices include CO2 levy.
3. District Heating Sales: Revenue from district heating networks (6.9 GWh). Includes connection fees per kW of installed capacity and ongoing charges based on heat consumption. Heat verbunds serve Bornfeld (wood pellets/gas) and Hagmatt (groundwater heat pumps).
4. Water Distribution: Revenue from drinking water distribution (2.3 million m3) to Olten, Trimbach, Starrkirch-Wil, and Unterer Hauenstein. Tariffs include base fee and consumption-based pricing.
5. Electrical Installation Inspections (a.en Control AG): Fees for periodic electrical installation inspections, acceptance inspections for new installations, and safety certifications. Charged per inspection with differentiated pricing for Olten (CHF 105) vs. outside Olten (CHF 130).
6. Energy Consulting Services: Revenue from energy consulting including building energy certificates (GEAK), GEAK Plus, on-site energy audits, and builder support services. Additional revenue from heating inspections.
7. Electric Mobility Infrastructure: Revenue from public charging stations for electric vehicles integrated into MOVE network. Fast charging station at Werkhofstrasse with 150 kW total capacity across 2 CCS points. Standard stations at 22 kW locations.
8. Rental Materials and Services: Revenue from event equipment rental (lighting, power distribution) for events in service area. Free for sponsored events within service area, 10% cost recovery for events outside area.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Aare Energie AG is a municipal utility for the Olten region that supplies electricity, natural gas, biogas, heat, and drinking water to residential and business customers. It operates district heating networks (Wärmeverbund Bornfeld and the planned Wärmeverbund Hagmatt), manages smart meter infrastructure, and offers energy consulting, electrical installation inspections (via a.en Control AG), public EV charging integrated into the MOVE network, and CNG vehicle refueling stations.

Product overview

Aare Energie AG (a.en) is the regional energy utility for the city and region of Olten, operating in electricity, gas, heat, and water sectors. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy products and services including: electricity products (StandardStrom, AareStrom Plus, Graustrom, OltnerSolarstrom, and MarktStrom offerings for free market), gas products (standard biogas blends, 100% biogas, and MarktGas offerings), district heating networks (Wärmeverbund Bornfeld and planned Wärmeverbund Hagmatt), Smart Meter infrastructure, customer portal, energy consulting services, electrical installation inspections (via a.en Control AG), and electric/CNG mobility charging infrastructure. The core offering centers on energy supply with complementary services in metering, billing, and efficiency consulting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• a.en Control AG: Electrical installation inspections and safety controls subsidiary of Aare Energie AG
• OltnerSolarstrom
• AareStrom plus
• StandardStrom
• GrauStrom

Products and services

• StandardStrom

Quantifiable outcome

• Drinking water sourced 100% from local groundwater aquifer (Dünnerngäu), ensuring supply security
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IWB (Industrielle Werke Basel)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022IWB and a.en are jointly developing the Wärmeverbund Hagmatt district heating project in the Hagmatt area (Olten/Trimbach). Starting 2027, the project will deliver renewable heat using a groundwater heat pump system located in the former Dellen drinking water pumping station. IWB brings experience in district heating infrastructure while a.en manages the local network and customer relationships.
• MOVE Charging NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationAll a.en public EV charging stations are integrated into the MOVE network, one of Switzerland's largest EV charging networks. MOVE provides the app and payment infrastructure, enabling drivers to locate and use a.en stations across Switzerland's MOVE network. Stations operate on 100% renewable energy.
• Linie-eminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinie-e is an energy education organization providing tours of the Energietunnel (energy tunnel), drinking water facilities, and school workshops. A.en supports this educational initiative as part of community engagement and energy literacy. A.en funds KEET (Klima-Energie-Erlebnistage) through the Aarestrom-Fonds.
• Pronovo AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationPronovo handles origin certificate (HKN - Herkunftsnachweise) administration for Swiss renewable energy. A.en uses Pronovo's systems for biogas registry, EEA certification, and managing origin certificates for solar, hydro, and other renewable generation. Pronovo also manages federal subsidy programs (EVS) for energy installations.
• SwissgridcoreOthersSwissgrid is the national grid company responsible for Switzerland's transmission grid (Netzebene 1). A.en as distribution system operator pays Swissgrid for system services (SDL - Systemdienstleistungen) which are passed through to end customers at 0.27 Rp./kWh (2026).
• EnergieAgentur der WirtschaftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy agency providing energy consulting and educational resources. A.en participates in joint programs for energy efficiency and sustainability education.
• Bundesamt für Energie (BFE)coreOthersFederal Office of Energy sets Swiss energy policy, regulations for smart meters (Smart Metering), and manages federal subsidy programs. A.en operates within BFE regulatory framework and participates in federal energy programs.
• Kanton SolothurncoreOthersCanton Solothurn provides subsidies for building renovations (via GEAK Plus), supports energy consulting, and coordinates on water protection and nitrate reduction programs. A.en collaborates with cantonal authorities on district heating permitting and municipal energy planning.
• sbo (Städtische Betriebe Olten)coreOtherssbo is the asset-owning parent company (municipal utility) while a.en operates as the management and operations company. Since 2018, a.en is 100% owned by sbo. All infrastructure assets (networks, generation) belong to sbo; all employees work for a.en.
• Gasverbund Mittelland AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional gas network company in which sbo holds an important stake. Supports gas distribution network development and operations in the region.
• SO-Energie AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanton of Solothurn energy company. Strategic partner for regional energy initiatives and renewable energy development.
• Aare Versorgungs AG (AVAG)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFormer co-owner of a.en (pre-2018). AVAG remains an important stakeholder and partner in the Aarestrom-Fonds (selling AareStrom plus product), distributing regional hydroelectric power in the Olten area.
• EnergieSchweizminorOthersFederal energy efficiency program. A.en references EnergieSchweiz resources for household tips on energy saving (energybox) and participates in national energy awareness campaigns.

Scale indicators28 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• StWZ Energie AG: Swiss municipal utility (Stadtwerk) supplying electricity, gas, water, and heat in the Zofingen region. Directly comparable to a.en in both product portfolio and service territory; currently engaged in a merger with sbo (Aare Energie's parent) under the 'Frohburg' project.
• Industrielle Werke Basel (IWB): Municipal utility of Basel providing electricity, gas, heat, and water. Active strategic partner of a.en (co-developing Wärmeverbund Hagmatt); operates a comparable multi-utility model with district heating at a larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Energie Wasser Bern (EWB): Large municipal utility of Bern providing electricity, gas, water, and district heating. Comparable in multi-utility structure and regulated monopoly model, but at substantially larger scale across a major Swiss city.
• Elektrizitätswerk der Stadt Zürich (ewz): Municipal utility of the City of Zürich. Operates a comparable multi-utility portfolio with strong renewable generation and district heating; same Swiss municipal-utility regulatory and ownership model but at far greater scale.
• Services Industriels de Genève (SIG): Geneva municipal utility providing electricity, gas, water, heating, and waste management. Operates an integrated multi-utility model similar to a.en, with extensive district heating and renewable infrastructure.
• Romande Energie: Major Swiss electricity distributor in French-speaking Switzerland with diversified generation portfolio including hydro and solar. Comparable on electricity distribution and renewable generation strategy, though operating in a different Swiss region.

Regional players

• Energie 360°: Regional Swiss utility offering natural gas, biogas, district heating, and e-mobility solutions in the Zurich area. Comparable in biogas blending strategy, district heating operations, and renewable gas integration.
• EBL (Genossenschaft EBL): Regional energy utility in the Basel-Landschaft region offering electricity, gas, heat, and telecom services. Comparable municipal/cooperative model with renewable generation and heat-pump-based district heating.
• Eniwa AG: Regional utility for the Wynen valley (Aargau) providing electricity, gas, water, and district heating. Directly comparable multi-utility structure with EV charging network operations and smart meter rollout.
• Regio Energie Solothurn: Regional utility operating in the Solothurn canton area — the same canton as Aare Energie. Provides electricity, gas, and water distribution with comparable customer-segment and tariff structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aare-energie-ag-a.en-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Aare Energie Ag (a.en)