Gsw Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke Gmbh Kamen, Bonen, Bergkamen

What Gsw Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke Gmbh Kamen, Bonen, Bergkamen does

GSW Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke GmbH Kamen, Bönen, Bergkamen is a municipal utility (Stadtwerke) jointly owned by the three municipalities of Kamen, Bönen, and Bergkamen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Founded in 1995, the company supplies electricity, natural gas, drinking water, and district heating to approximately 69,085, 22,026, 27,777, and 798 metered connections respectively, and operates recreational facilities under the GSW Wasserwelt brand (five swimming pools and one sauna, with 215,691 bath and 28,552 sauna visitors in 2024).

GSW operates a regulated distribution network spanning roughly 1,619 km of electricity lines, 449 km of gas pipes, 84 km of water mains, and 35.4 km of district heating pipes, complemented by generation assets including four block CHP plants, PV installations, wind turbines, and gas/steam power plants. A long-term biomass CHP contract with E.ON Energy Solutions (signed February 2024, running through end of 2039) secures green district heating for approximately 1,000 households and saves an estimated 67,000 tonnes CO2 annually. Value-added services include the EnergieDach PV rental model, GSW Strom Natur Plus (an eco-tariff with embedded funding for local pollinator habitats covering 48,100 m²), building thermography, smart metering, electromobility charging, and fiber optic broadband via a Helinet/Deutsche GigaNetz partnership.

The business model combines regulated network charges (Netzentgelte approved by the Bundesnetzagentur) with commodity sales across four utility streams, plus transaction-based revenue from bath/sauna admissions (215,691 bath visitors and 28,552 sauna visitors in 2024). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through walk-in customer centers in all three municipalities, the powercommerce online portal, the "Meine GSW" mobile app, and a 24/7 service hotline, supplemented by community events (Energy Dialog information evenings, school and kindergarten energy education, sponsorship of local festivals) and a certified installer network. Customers are predominantly private households, with secondary segments in commercial/industrial accounts (~400 businesses for fiber), the three co-owning municipalities, and Wasserwelt visitors.

Name

Gsw Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke Gmbh Kamen, Bonen, Bergkamen

Legal name

GSW Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke GmbH Kamen, Bönen, Bergkamen

Website

https://gsw-kamen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GSW Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke is a municipal utility jointly owned by Kamen, Bönen, and Bergkamen, Germany, supplying electricity, gas, water, and district heating to roughly 119,000 connections and operating swimming pools and saunas via its GSW Wasserwelt brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kamen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electricity supply (Strom): GSW supplies electricity to residential and commercial customers across its service territory. Revenue is generated through regulated and non-regulated electricity tariffs, with GSW offering standard and eco-tariff products (GSW Blütenstrom/Strom Natur Plus). Grid fees are collected through the regulated network business.
2. Gas supply (Erdgas): Natural gas supply to residential and commercial customers. Revenue from commodity sales plus regulated network tariffs. GSW maintains stable gas pricing through long-term procurement policies, offsetting rising CO2 prices.
3. District heating (Fernwärme): Supply of heating energy via district heating network (35.4 km network, ~798 heated properties in Bergkamen and Kamen). Heat sourced from biomass CHP plant (E.ON contract through 2039) and block CHP plants (4 units generating 12.3 GWh electricity and 2.8 GWh heat annually).
4. Drinking water supply (Trinkwasser): Water supply to ~27,777 metered connections across Kamen, Bönen, and Bergkamen via an 84 km water network. ~6.3 million cubic meters sold annually. Water supply in cooperation with Gelsenwasser AG (GSW Wasser Plus partnership).
5. Network operation (regulated grid business): GSW operates regulated electricity, gas, water, and heating distribution networks as a licensed network operator. Revenue is derived from regulated network charges (Netzentgelte) approved by the Bundesnetzagentur. The company manages ~1,619 km of power lines, ~449 km of gas pipes, ~84 km of water mains, and ~35.4 km of heating pipes.
6. GSW Wasserwelt (baths and sauna operations): Operation of 5 swimming pools and 1 sauna (Sesekebad Kamen opening May 2025, Häupenbad Bergkamen opening July 2025, Saunabad Bönen). Revenue from entrance fees, courses (113 courses including 64 beginner swimming courses, 250 Seepferdchen badges in 2024), and related services. New pricing with family discounts starting from 1 adult + 1 child.
7. Energy services (Energiedienstleistungen): Additional services including GSW EnergieDach (PV rental/pacht), building thermography, energy consulting, smart meter operation, and installation services. Revenue from service fees and equipment leasing. GSW also operates electro-mobility charging infrastructure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

GSW Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke GmbH is a municipal multi-utility that supplies electricity, natural gas, drinking water, and district heating to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the municipalities of Kamen, Bönen, and Bergkamen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The company also operates its own electricity, gas, water, and heat distribution networks (regulated grid business) under Bundesnetzagentur oversight, runs the GSW Wasserwelt recreation brand (5 swimming pools and 1 sauna), and offers energy services such as the GSW EnergieDach PV rental and building thermography.

Product overview

GSW Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke GmbH is a multi-utility energy provider serving Kamen, Bönen, and Bergkamen in Germany. The company operates as a unified municipal utility offering four core products: electricity (GSW Stromprodukte), natural gas (GSW Gasprodukte), drinking water (GSW Wasserversorgung), and district heating (GSW Wärmeprodukte). Supporting these core services, the company provides supplementary offerings including the eco-electricity product GSW Strom Natur Plus (Blütenstrom) featuring local flowering area funding, the GSW EnergieDach solar panel rental service, and the GSW Wasserwelt recreation division operating swimming pools and saunas. Digital services include an Online-Kundencenter portal and the "Meine GSW" mobile app. The company also participates in fiber optic infrastructure through the Helinet partnership. As a distribution network operator, GSW manages electricity, gas, water, and heating networks spanning over 2,100 km of pipelines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GSW Wasserwelt: Operates swimming pools and sauna facilities including Sesekebad in Kamen, Häupenbad in Bergkamen, and Saunabad in Bönen. New facilities opened/opening in 2025.
• GSW Strom Natur Plus / GSW Blütenstrom
• GSW EnergieDach
• Helinet

Products and services

• GSW Stromprodukte (Electricity Supply) Electricity supply tariffs for residential (Privatkunden) and commercial/industrial (Gewerbe und Industrie) customers across the licensed service territory, with guaranteed fair pricing, personal on-site consultation, and online tariff calculator. Serves ~69,085 metered connections across a 1,619 km distribution network.
• GSW Gasprodukte (Natural Gas Supply) Natural gas supply with long-term stable pricing for residential and commercial/industrial customers. Service territory covers 449 km of gas distribution network and ~22,026 metered connections with 484.6 GWh sold in 2024.
• GSW Wärmeprodukte (District Heating Supply) District heating supply via 35.4 km heating network across Bergkamen, Seseke Aue (Kamen), and Kamen Karree. Sourced from biomass CHP plant (E.ON contract through 2039) and four block CHP plants; serves ~798 metered connections with 52.0 GWh delivered in 2024. Eligible for BEG subsidies (30% base, up to 20% speed bonus, 20% income bonus).
• GSW Wasserversorgung (Drinking Water Supply) Drinking water supply reliably controlled and cleanly processed, served via an 84 km water main network and 27,777 metered connections, with 6.3 million m³ sold in 2024. Water supply operates in cooperation with Gelsenwasser AG (GSW Wasser Plus partnership).
• GSW Strom Natur Plus (Blütenstrom Eco-Tariff) Eco-electricity tariff sourced 100% from wind and hydropower with no CO2 emissions. Each kWh consumed allocates 0.50 ct to a fund financing local flower and wildflower areas across Kamen, Bönen, and Bergkamen in cooperation with the Westfälischer Landwirtschaftsverband. Working price 29.67 ct/kWh gross (valid from 01.01.2026), base price 16.84 EUR/month; 12-month initial term then indefinite with 4-week cancellation.
• GSW EnergieDach (PV Rental Model) Full-service photovoltaic rental product: GSW installs, owns, operates, and maintains a rooftop PV system on the customer's roof for 18 years; the customer pays no investment, maintenance, or repair costs and consumes the generated solar electricity for the lease term.
• GSW Wasserwelt (Baths and Saunas) Recreation division operating 5 swimming pools and 1 sauna across Kamen, Bönen, and Bergkamen, including Sesekebad Kamen (opened 16 May 2025), Häupenbad Bergkamen (opened 4 July 2025), and Saunabad Bönnen. 215,691 bath visitors and 28,552 sauna visitors in 2024; offers entrance fees, swimming courses (113 courses including 64 beginner, 250 Seepferdchen badges awarded), family cards, Geldwertkarten (up to 20% discount), and event programming.
• Netz und Technik (Regulated Network Operations and Grid Connections) Licensed grid operations and connection services for electricity, gas, water, and heat networks in the service territory. Includes house connections, PV-system grid connection (Einspeisung), metering point operation (Messstellenbetrieb), smart metering rollout, Zähler-Ablesung, network usage and market communication, §14a EnWG controllable consumption devices, Redispatch 2.0, and Energy Sharing.
• Helinet Glasfaser-Netz (Fiber-Optic Broadband via Partnership) High-speed fiber-optic broadband service for residential white spots and ~400 commercial customers (free connections in commercial parks), operated by Helinet on GSW-owned network infrastructure in cooperation with Deutsche GigaNetz and BreitBand Bergkamen.
• GSW Gebäudethermografie (Building Thermography) Energy efficiency diagnostic service using thermal imaging to identify heat loss and insulation gaps in residential and commercial buildings, supporting energy consulting customers.
• Störungsdienst (24/7 Emergency Fault Service) 24/7 emergency response service for utility faults (gas smell, power outages, district heating failures, water pipe breaks). Accessible via dedicated hotline numbers (02307 978-4433 for electricity; 02307 978-4422 for gas, water, and district heating).
• Biomasseheizkraftwerk Bergkamen (Biomass CHP Heat Supply) Biomass combined heat and power generation delivering up to 20 MW of CO2-neutral heat and renewable electricity via recycled wood, contracted under a 2039 long-term agreement with E.ON Energy Solutions; supplies green district heating to ~1,000 Bergkamen households and avoids ~67,000 tonnes of CO2/year vs conventional generation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Electricity sales: 211.1 GWh in 2024 to ~69,085 metered connections; Gas sales: 484.6 GWh in 2024 to ~22,026 metered connections; Water sales: 6.3 million m³ in 2024 to ~27,777 metered connections; District heating: 52.0 GWh in 2024 to ~798 metered connections
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• E.ON Energy Solutions GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Long-term heat supply contract signed February 2024 for the biomass CHP plant in Bergkamen, valid through end of 2039. The plant delivers up to 20 MW of heat and CO2-neutral electricity using recycled wood. This secures green district heating for ~1,000 households in Bergkamen and is foundational to GSW's decarbonization strategy and district heating expansion.
• HelinetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Telecommunications partnership for fiber optic broadband infrastructure in Kamen, Bönen, and Bergkamen. Helinet operates the fiber network and offers broadband tariffs to end customers. GSW is the network owner. Project aims to provide high-speed internet to ~400 businesses (free connections) and underserved residential areas (white spots), funded largely through BreitBand Bergkamen subsidies.
• Deutsche GigaNetzcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Deutsche GigaNetz provides the fiber optic infrastructure that Helinet uses for retail operations in the GSW service territory. Part of the three-way cooperation: GSW (network owner) + Helinet (operator) + Deutsche GigaNetz (infrastructure).
• BreitBand Bergkamen (BBB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Municipal broadband enterprise (Eigenbetrieb) of the municipalities Kamen, Bönen, and Bergkamen that procures funding (subsidies) for the fiber optic rollout. As the municipal utility, GSW coordinates with BBB on the infrastructure project to bring broadband to commercial areas and white spots in the region.
• Trianel WissensnetzwerkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024GSW participates in the Trianel knowledge network, a collaborative platform for municipal utilities to share expertise and best practices on energy transition topics.
• EANRW GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Solar energy consulting partner for the GSW Energie-Dialog series. EANRW GmbH provided a solar expert (Rüdiger Brechler) who presented on the Solar Package I and PV system economics at the April 2024 Energie-Dialog on solar energy.
• Fraunhofer-Institut-IEGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Energy IEG developed transformation plans for GSW's district heating networks as a foundation for decarbonization. These plans form the basis for the heating network expansion strategy.
• Biologische Station Kreis Unna/DortmundminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Advisory partner for the pollinator habitat/blühflächen program. The biological station consults on regional seed mixture selection and maintenance practices for the flower areas established across the GSW service territory.
• Landwirtschaftskammer (Agricultural Chamber)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Advisory partner for the pollinator habitat program, providing expertise on agricultural practices and seed selection for the flower and wildflower areas.
• Öko-Zentrum NRW GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Energy consulting partner for the GSW 'Energie-Dialog' information event series. The Öko-Zentrum provides certified energy consultants and architects (e.g., Jan Karwatzki) who present on topics like building energy law (GEG), heat pump systems, and building energy efficiency at GSW's free public information evenings.
• ASEW (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für sparsame Energie- und Wasserverwendung)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022GSW participates in the ASEW Stadtwerke-Initiative Klimaschutz since 2022. ASEW is a network of German city utilities focused on energy and water efficiency. GSW's decarbonization strategy and greenhouse gas balance were developed within this network context, sharing best practices with other German utilities.
• Hochschule Hamm/LippstadtminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership through the 'Innovationswerkbank' project to identify efficiency quarters in the GSW service territory. Academic collaboration for data-driven analysis of energy efficiency opportunities in the region.
• Gelsenwasser AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Long-standing cooperation for safe and reliable drinking water supply through the GSW Wasser Plus joint venture. Gelsenwasser AG provides water supply and water transport services as a partner to GSW. GSW's own water network (84 km) is supplemented by this partnership to ensure water supply security in the region.
• Deutsche Umwelt AktionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership for energy education programs in primary schools and kindergartens across the GSW service territory. The organization provides curriculum design and hands-on educational materials (steam engines, solar-powered toys, wind turbines) for GSW-sponsored energy discovery programs reaching 12 schools and 34 kindergartens annually.
• Westfälischer LandwirtschaftsverbandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership for the GSW Blütenstrom eco-tariff: the association's member farmers provide land for pollinator-friendly flower and wildflower areas (48,100 m² total across Kamen, Bönen, and Bergkamen). Farmers sow regional seed mixtures (Regiosaatgut) on 3-year non-cultivated contracts, creating biodiversity corridors. In return, 0.50 ct/kWh from Blütenstrom customers funds the program.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Stadtwerke Hamm: Larger municipal multi-utility in the adjacent city of Hamm, sharing the same NRW regulatory environment and Bundesnetzagentur oversight. Directly comparable in product mix (Strom, Gas, Wasser, Fernwärme, Bäder) but with materially larger customer base and broader generation assets.
• SWB Energie und Wasser: Regional multi-utility in Bonn/Bremerhaven (jointly with EWE), providing electricity, gas, water, and heat. Comparable regulated multi-utility business model and customer mix, though serving larger urban centers and operating across multiple federal states.
• Gelsenwasser AG: Large regional water and energy utility headquartered in Gelsenkirchen, jointly owning GSW Wasser Plus with GSW for drinking water supply. Operates a multi-utility model across NRW with greater scale and network reach, providing direct comparability on regulated water/energy distribution and municipal partnerships.
• Stadtwerke Münster: Regional municipal utility in Münster, offering electricity, gas, water, heat, and broadband with a strong sustainability/decarbonization strategy. Comparable in multi-utility scope and municipal ownership, but serves a larger urban area and operates mobility services.
• Stadtwerke Bochum: Major municipal utility in the Ruhr area, operating electricity, gas, water, district heating, and public transport. Broader incumbent with overlapping product mix and similar regulatory positioning, but significantly larger scale and an integrated mobility/transport business GSW does not operate.

Direct peers

• Stadtwerke Lünen: Municipal utility serving Lünen in the Kreis Unna, directly adjacent to GSW's Bergkamen service area. Closely comparable in size (~80–100k residents), product breadth (electricity, gas, water, heat, baths), and municipal ownership structure.
• Stadtwerke Fröndenberg Wickede: Small municipal multi-utility in the neighboring Märkischer Kreis / Kreis Unna area, providing electricity, gas, water, and heat. Most directly comparable to GSW in customer scale, service mix, and municipal ownership structure; notably the predecessor employer of GSW's incoming Managing Director Alexander Loipfinger.
• Stadtwerke Unna: Municipal utility for the Kreis Unna seat of Unna, the same district in which GSW operates. Comparable in customer scale, multi-utility product mix (Strom, Gas, Wasser, Wärme), and Stadtwerke governance model, with overlapping service territory in the western Kamen area.

Regional players

• Stadtwerke Herford: Mid-sized municipal multi-utility in Ostwestfalen, comparable in customer scale (60–80k connections) and product mix (Strom, Gas, Wasser, Wärme, Bäder). Operates in a different NRW region without direct overlap with GSW's service territory, providing a structural rather than geographic peer.

Others

• Trianel GmbH: Cooperative of municipal utilities (Stadtwerke) headquartered in Aachen, including GSW via the Trianel Wissensnetzwerk. Provides joint procurement, trading, and digital services comparable to those GSW accesses; not a direct competitor but a structural peer in the German municipal utility ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpW74tExNGDFyMpRsgcafYA
• Facebookfacebook.com/GSWgmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/gswgmbh/?hl=de

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Gsw Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke Gmbh Kamen, Bonen, Bergkamen