Bürger Energie Genossenschaft (BEG) eG Sankt Wendeler Land

What Bürger Energie Genossenschaft (BEG) eG Sankt Wendeler Land does

Bürger Energie Genossenschaft (BEG) eG Sankt Wendeler Land is a German eingetragene Genossenschaft (registered cooperative) founded in September 2009 and headquartered in the Rathaus Freisen, Saarland. The cooperative pools small-ticket member capital (€500 per Geschäftsanteil, one-member-one-vote governance, no Nachschusspflicht) to develop, co-finance, and operate regional renewable energy installations, primarily ground-mounted solar farms, distributed rooftop photovoltaic systems on public buildings, and minority equity participations in wind parks. As of the most recent count it has 277 members holding 3,002 shares (implying ~€1.5 million of member share capital), making it a democratically governed vehicle for citizen participation in the Energiewende rather than a commercially driven developer.

The cooperative's generation portfolio consists of: (i) ~350 kWp of rooftop PV on public buildings in Freisen and Oberkirchen, generating ~229,100 kWh in 2024 (planned ~320,000 kWh at average weather); (ii) minority stakes in three ground-mounted solar parks — Solarpark Freisen 'Auf der Schwann' (2.354 MWp, 10%), Solarpark Remmesweiler (12.1 MWp, 10%), and Solarpark Oberlinxweiler (14.2 MWp, 10%, operational since June 2026); and (iii) minority stakes in three wind parks — Windpark Oberthal (4 turbines, ~25 million kWh/year, 4.9%), Windpark Nohfelden-Eisen (3 × Vestas V126-3.3 MW, ~22 million kWh/year, 5%, with a direct industrial PPA cable since August 2024), and Windpark Saar 2016 (4 × Vestas V112 3.3 MW plus a Vestas V136 repowering turbine, 5%). Revenue is derived primarily from EEG feed-in tariffs, increasingly via direct marketing through its Bürgerwerke eG (Heidelberg) membership, with planned expansion into a regional Bürgerstrom retail tariff and district-heating networks.

BEG's customer base and growth model are community-led: individuals, households, clubs, associations, and local enterprises acquire shares for both financial return and ideological alignment with the energy transition, while the cooperative partners with the Gemeinde Freisen, Verbandsgemeinde Birkenfeld, and Landkreis St. Wendel on projects and uses municipal rooftops as PV sites. Governance is by a two-member Vorstand (Wolfgang Klein, Dr. Uwe Rosenberger) and a five-member Aufsichtsrat, with regulatory oversight by the Genossenschaftsverband. Planned expansion includes district-heating networks in Oberkirchen, Neunkirchen/Nahe, and Berschweiler, and the eventual launch of a regional electricity brand under the Bürgerwerke umbrella.

Name

Bürger Energie Genossenschaft (BEG) eG Sankt Wendeler Land

Legal name

Bürger Energie Genossenschaft (BEG) eG Sankt Wendeler Land

Website

https://beg-sankt-wendeler-land.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Bürger Energie Genossenschaft (BEG) eG Sankt Wendeler Land is a German citizen energy cooperative pooling member capital to co-finance and operate regional solar and wind installations in the Sankt Wendeler Land district of Saarland, serving individual members, municipalities, and local institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Cooperative / Citizen Energy

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Generation (22111), Wind Electric Power Generation (221115)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC), Retail Supply + DER/Virtual Power Plant Bundles (Solar, Storage, DR) (EUAGABAI)

Keywords

• Renewable energy cooperative
• Citizen energy projects
• Photovoltaic generation
• Wind energy participation
• Local energy supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Freisen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Electricity Generation & Feed-in (PV and Wind): The cooperative generates electricity through its own rooftop PV installations (approx. 350 kWp total installed capacity producing ~229,100 kWh in 2024) and via stakes in larger ground-mounted solar farms (Solarpark Freisen, Solarpark Remmesweiler, Solarpark Oberlinxweiler) and wind parks (Windpark Oberthal, Windpark Nohfelden-Eisen, Windpark Saar 2016). Revenue is derived from feeding electricity into the grid under Germany's Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) feed-in tariff regime, supplemented by direct marketing arrangements with the Bürgerwerke eG. In 2024, the Windpark Nohfelden-Eisen began directly supplying a nearby industrial facility via dedicated cable, representing a new revenue channel beyond grid feed-in.
2. Membership Share Capital (Geschäftsanteile): Members purchase shares (Geschäftsanteile) at €500 per share. A minimum of one share is required. Members may purchase additional shares over time. The cooperative uses this member equity as a primary financing instrument for project investments. Capital is returned after a five-year lock-up period. No subordinated debt (Nachrangdarlehen) instruments are modelled here — those are separately disclosed as financing tools for project-specific funding.
3. Direct Electricity Supply to Members and Local Institutions: The BEG plans to sell electricity directly to its members and local institutions (e.g., the municipality of Oberkirchen, Kirchengemeinde Oberkirchen for kindergartens). The cooperative is a member of the Bürgerwerke eG, Heidelberg, which enables it to market renewable 'Bürgerstrom' to members via a regional tariff and handles billing and settlement. Future ambition is to create a regional electricity brand under the Bürgerwerke umbrella, supplied by locally generated renewable energy from BEG's own installations.
4. District Heating (Nahwärme) — Planned: The BEG is exploring district heating (Nahwärme) networks in Oberkirchen (jointly with the municipality of Freisen), Neunkirchen/Nahe, and Berschweiler (with the KDM Marpingen initiative). A pilot project for a wood-chip-fired heating network in Oberkirchen (2011) was ultimately unsuccessful due to a denied building permit. The heating sector is identified as a strategic priority, given that roughly 50% of regional energy demand is for heating and hot water.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The BEG is a registered energy cooperative that develops, co-finances, and operates renewable energy generation assets in the Sankt Wendeler Land region of Saarland, Germany. Its core activities are minority equity participations in ground-mounted solar parks (Oberlinxweiler, Remmesweiler, Freisen 'Auf der Schwann'), rooftop PV installations on public buildings, and wind park stakes (Oberthal, Nohfelden-Eisen, Saar 2016), feeding electricity into the regional grid under Germany's EEG feed-in tariff. The cooperative also plans direct Bürgerstrom supply to members and local institutions via the Bürgerwerke eG platform and is exploring district heating networks.

Product overview

Bürger Energie Genossenschaft (BEG) eG Sankt Wendeler Land is a citizen energy cooperative offering a portfolio of renewable energy products and services centered on photovoltaic and wind energy generation. The core offerings include freiflächen (ground-mounted) solar parks (Solarpark Oberlinxweiler at 14.2 MWp, Solarpark Remmesweiler at 12.1 MWp, and Solarpark Freisen 'Auf der Schwann' at 2.354 MWp), distributed rooftop PV installations on public buildings totaling ~350 kWp, and participations in wind parks (Windpark Oberthal, Windpark Nohfelden-Eisen, and Windpark Saar 2016). The cooperative also provides district heating (Nahwärme) planning and offers citizen energy supply (Bürgerstrom) through the Bürgerwerke eG partnership. Membership in the cooperative itself represents the primary product, enabling citizens to invest in and benefit from regional renewable energy projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solarpark Oberlinxweiler Ground-mounted photovoltaic solar park generating renewable electricity fed into the regional grid under Germany's EEG feed-in tariff regime. Operated via the ATE Solarparks 5 GmbH & Co. KG structure in which BEG holds a 10% equity stake.
• Solarpark Remmesweiler Ground-mounted photovoltaic solar park with 12.1 MWp capacity, approximately 21,500 modules and 52 inverters, operated through ATE Solarparks 5 GmbH & Co. KG with BEG holding a 10% equity stake.
• Solarpark Freisen 'Auf der Schwann' Ground-mounted photovoltaic installation at Reitscheid with 2.354 MWp capacity from 9,812 modules. BEG holds a 10% equity stake in the operating company, Solarpark Freisen 'Auf der Schwann' GmbH.
• Dachanlagen (Rooftop PV Installations) Distributed rooftop photovoltaic installations on public buildings in Freisen and surrounding communities, totaling approximately 350 kWp of installed capacity and producing approximately 229,100 kWh in 2024. Sites include Rathaus Freisen (31.68 kWp), Bruchwaldhalle, Mehrzweckhalle Grügelborn, Grundschule Oberkirchen, Kindergarten Oberkirchen, Feuerwehr Freisen, and the Bauhof.
• Windpark Oberthal Wind energy generation asset with 4 turbines producing approximately 25 million kWh annually, more than the entire electricity consumption of the municipality of Oberthal. BEG holds a 4.9% equity stake in Windpark Oberthal GmbH.
• Windpark Nohfelden-Eisen Wind energy generation asset with 3 Vestas V126-3.3 MW turbines, estimated annual output of 22 million kWh. BEG holds a 5% equity stake in Windpark Nohfelden-Eisen GmbH (developed by VSE Aktiengesellschaft, Saarbrücken). Since August 2024, the wind park directly supplies a nearby industrial customer via dedicated cable, representing a direct supply model beyond standard grid feed-in.
• Windpark Saar 2016 Wind energy generation asset with 4 Vestas V112 turbines (3.3 MW each) and 1 Vestas V136 repowering turbine (3.45 MW) at Mühlenberg, Eitzweiler, and Heinzelberg in Freisen. BEG holds a 5% equity stake in Windpark Saar 2016 GmbH & Co. KG.
• Bürgerstrom (Citizen Energy Tariff) Regional renewable electricity tariff offered to cooperative members and local institutions through BEG's membership in the Bürgerwerke eG, Heidelberg. The Bürgerwerke platform handles billing, meter data management, and customer settlement. Future ambition is to create a regional electricity brand under the Bürgerwerke umbrella sourced from BEG's own renewable installations.
• Nahwärme (District Heating) District heating networks planned for Oberkirchen (jointly with Gemeinde Freisen), Neunkirchen/Nahe, and Berschweiler (with the KDM Marpingen initiative). The heating sector is identified as a strategic priority, given that roughly 50% of regional energy demand is for heating and hot water.
• Genossenschaftliche Mitgliedschaft (Cooperative Membership) Cooperative membership in the BEG entitling members to one vote in the Generalversammlung regardless of share count, access to annual profit distributions (Ausschüttungen), and access to the planned Bürgerstrom tariff via the Bürgerwerke eG platform. Shares (Geschäftsanteile) are priced at €500 each, with a minimum of one share required and a five-year lock-up period. Liability is strictly limited to the number of shares held with no Nachschusspflicht.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~229,100 kWh electricity generated in 2024 from BEG's own rooftop PV installations (~350 kWp), enough to supply ~105 two-person households; planned output of ~320,000 kWh under average weather
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Verbandsgemeinde Birkenfeld (AöR erneuerbare Energien)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025BEG participates in joint events with the Verbandsgemeinde Birkenfeld, including the Earth Hour 2025 celebration. The AöR erneuerbare Energien für Birkenfeld (public-law institution for renewable energies) is developing a local energy balancing circle (Bilanzkreis) to use locally generated energy within the region. BEG's Vorstände Wolfgang Klein and Dr. Uwe Rosenberger presented at this event alongside the AöR's Klimaschutzmanager Ralf Schäfer, indicating a collaborative relationship on regional citizen energy models.
• ATE Solarparks 5 GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024BEG acquired a 10% stake in the ATE Solarparks 5 GmbH & Co. KG, which operates the Solarpark Remmesweiler (12.1 MWp, ~21,500 modules, commissioned) and the Solarpark Oberlinxweiler (14.2 MWp, 23,478 modules, commissioned June 2026). This is BEG's largest current generation asset and the primary driver of its projected growth. The partnership enables BEG to offer new membership slots and increased member stakes, with capital used for both share purchases and shareholder loans to the operating company.
• Zukunfts-Energie-Netzwerk St. Wendeler Land e.V. / BildungsNetzwerk St. Wendeler LandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017BEG is a founding member of the Zukunfts-Energie-Netzwerk St. Wendeler Land e.V. and supports the Null-Emissions-Landkreis St. Wendel initiative. Through its participation in the BildungsNetzwerk St. Wendeler Land, BEG contributes to the 'Kommunale Bildungslandschaft Oberthal' programme, providing practical educational experiences in renewable energy at the Windpark Oberthal site for kindergartens and schools across the Landkreis.
• Windpark Nohfelden-Eisen GmbH (VSE AG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016BEG holds a 5% stake in the Windpark Nohfelden-Eisen GmbH, which operates 3 Vestas V126-3.3 MW wind turbines (137m hub height, 126m rotor, ~200m total height) in Nohfelden-Eisen. The project was developed by VSE Aktiengesellschaft, Saarbrücken, and commissioned in 2016. Estimated annual generation is ~22 million kWh. Since August 2024, the wind park directly supplies an industrial customer via a dedicated cable, representing a new direct supply model. BEG's participation was realised in 2016 alongside its stake in Windpark Saar 2016.
• Windpark Saar 2016 GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016BEG holds a 5% stake in the Windpark Saar 2016 GmbH & Co. KG, which operates 4 Vestas V112 wind turbines (3.3 MW each, 140m hub, 112m rotor) at Mühlenberg, Eitzweiler, and Heinzelberg in Freisen, commissioned early 2017. A 5th turbine (Vestas V136, 3.45 MW, 166m hub) was added in October 2022 as a repowering project replacing an older smaller turbine in Eitzweiler. The project is co-developed with the Gemeindewerke Freisen (municipal utility).
• Solarpark Freisen 'Auf der Schwann' GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014BEG holds a 10% equity stake in the Solarpark Freisen 'Auf der Schwann' GmbH, which operates a 2.354 MWp ground-mounted photovoltaic installation at Reitscheid comprising 9,812 modules. The other shareholders are regional utilities WVW Wasserversorgung St. Wendel, SSW Stadtwerke St. Wendel, WVE Kaiserslautern, and Energis. The solar farm has been operational since June 2012. This is one of BEG's foundational projects and a core pillar of its electricity generation portfolio.
• Windpark Oberthal GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014BEG holds a 4.9% stake in the Windpark Oberthal GmbH, which operates 4 wind turbines (investment ~€21 million) in Oberthal, with 3 turbines commissioned end-2013 and the 4th in early 2014. The wind park produces ~25 million kWh annually — more than the entire municipality of Oberthal consumes. The municipality reduced its stake from 24.9% to 20% to enable the citizen participation model, making this a flagship example of the Null-Emissions-Landkreis St. Wendel initiative.
• Bürgerwerke eG, HeidelbergcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014BEG became a member of the Bürgerwerke eG, Heidelberg at the end of 2014. The Bürgerwerke eG is a cooperative of cooperatives that holds the legal status of an energy supplier (Versorger). It enables BEG to: (1) directly market its renewable electricity generation under EEG 2014; and (2) offer a regional citizen electricity tariff (Bürgerstrom) to its members, with billing and settlement handled by the Bürgerwerke platform. BEG plans to eventually supply locally generated electricity under this framework, potentially creating a regional energy brand under the Bürgerwerke umbrella.
• Gemeinde Freisen (Gemeindewerke)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013The municipality of Freisen, through its municipal utility (Gemeindewerke / Gesellschaft zur Nutzung erneuerbarer Energien GmbH, founded 2013), is a joint-development partner with BEG on multiple renewable energy projects, including rooftop PV installations on public buildings and wind park participations (Windpark Saar 2016). The Rathaus Freisen also serves as BEG's physical office and membership form distribution point. This close municipal partnership is foundational to BEG's operating model.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bürgerwerke eG: Bürgerwerke eG (Heidelberg) is a cooperative of energy cooperatives that holds the legal status of an energy supplier and provides the Bürgerstrom retail platform used by BEG. Most directly comparable as the umbrella platform BEG depends on for retail electricity supply and EEG direct marketing.
• EWS Elektrizitätswerke Schönau eG: EWS Schönau is the most prominent German citizen energy cooperative, founded in the 1990s to take over the local grid and now operates as a regional renewable energy supplier with >200,000 customers. Same legal structure (eingetragene Genossenschaft), same renewable generation focus, same democratic governance model as BEG.
• Greenpeace Energy eG: Greenpeace Energy eG is a German energy cooperative supplying 100% renewable electricity nationwide to ~200,000 customers, structured as a Genossenschaft. Comparable to BEG in legal form and renewable supply mission, though operating at significantly larger scale and customer base.
• Energiegenossenschaft Inn-Salzach eG: A regional German citizen energy cooperative operating in Bavaria with PV, wind, and biomass projects and a similar member-share-capital financing model. Closely comparable to BEG in scale, regional focus, and cooperative governance.
• Energiegenossenschaft Hohenlohe eG: Energiegenossenschaft Hohenlohe eG is a regional German citizen energy cooperative focused on PV, wind, and combined heat/power projects in Baden-Württemberg. Closely comparable to BEG in scale, governance structure, member-financing model, and project portfolio composition.

Broad incumbents

• Naturstrom AG: Naturstrom AG is one of Germany's largest independent renewable electricity suppliers, operating wind and solar parks nationwide and supplying ~300,000 customers. Comparable in renewable generation and supply focus but structured as an AG (corporation) rather than a cooperative, and operating at substantially larger scale.
• Lichtblick SE: Lichtblick is a major German green electricity supplier providing 100% renewable power and home battery/VPP services to >500,000 customers. Comparable in Bürgerstrom-style retail renewable supply but operating at much larger scale with proprietary technology assets.
• EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG: EnBW is one of Germany's largest integrated utilities with major renewable generation, T&D, and retail operations. Comparable as a broad incumbent in renewable electricity generation and supply, though operating at vastly greater scale across multiple German states.

Regional players

• Stadtwerke St. Wendel GmbH (SSW): SSW is the local municipal utility in St. Wendel and a co-shareholder alongside BEG in Solarpark Freisen 'Auf der Schwann' GmbH. Comparable as a regional utility player in the same geography with overlapping renewable generation assets and customer relationships.
• VSE AG (Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft Saarbrücken): VSE AG is the major regional energy utility in Saarland and developer/co-shareholder of Windpark Nohfelden-Eisen where BEG holds a 5% stake. Comparable as a regional renewable energy developer operating in the same geography with overlapping wind generation interests.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Vorstand.2

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Bürger Energie Genossenschaft (BEG) eG Sankt Wendeler Land