A far-reaching decision has been made in the municipality of Wettenberg: Stadtwerke Gießen will remain a partner in the supply of electricity to the districts of Launsbach and Wißmar for a further 20 years.
On 1 April, the municipality of Wettenberg and Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) concluded a concession agreement for the supply of electricity to the districts of Launsbachand Wißmar. Its term is 20 years. The municipal committees had previously voted by a majority in favour of continuing the cooperation, which had already lasted two decades, thus paving the way for this. "We are very pleased that we were able to impress with our new offer and hold our own against competitors," explained Jens Schmidt, Commercial Director of SWG, at the signing of the contract in Wettenberg town hall. Wettenberg's mayor Thomas Brunner, the first alderman Reinhard Bamberger, Jens Schmidt and the technical director of SWG, Matthias Funk, sealed the renewed cooperation with their signatures.
The signing of the contract is the conclusion of a process that the municipality of Wettenberg initiated in December 2016 with the invitation to tender. Mayor Thomas Brunner expressed his satisfaction with the result and explained the municipality's decision as follows: "Stadtwerke Giessen has proven to be a reliable and innovative partner over the years. However, the decisive factor was that they presented the better concept in practically all points of our catalogue of criteria."
In fact, local authorities specify these criteria catalogues for the concession tender. Those responsible in Wettenberg wanted a power supply that is safe, affordable, efficient, consumer-friendly and environmentally friendly. It should also be increasingly based on renewable energies. "Of course, we are a little proud to have been awarded the contract. In a way, we are reaping the fruits of our labour. After all, these are precisely the demands we have been placing on ourselves day after day for many years," emphasises Matthias Funk, Technical Director of SWG.
Sustainable infrastructure
When it comes to awarding concessions for energy supply, local authorities attach great importance to close and well-functioning cooperation on an equal footing. And for good reason: modern distribution grids that also take municipal interests into account are a decisive location factor. "In order to remain attractive in the long term, we need a sustainable infrastructure," says Mayor Thomas Brunner. Ina Weller, authorised signatory of SWG and also project manager of these grid processes, adds: "Especially in light of the advancing energy transition, municipalities need partners for modern, efficient grids. This is especially true in the electricity sector. This is because the switch to more and more renewable energies sometimes places completely new demands on the grid, forcing permanent adjustments to the lines and systems. This is exactly what we will ensure over the next 20 years."
The right to use routes
A concession agreement is the basis for the energy supply in a municipality. It defines the rights and obligations of the contractual partners. The regulation of road use is a central component. It enables the energy supplier - in this case SWG - to lay and operate lines under roads, cycle paths, pavements and squares. SWG pays an annual fee - the concession fee - to the municipality of Wettenberg for this use of the road, the amount of which is also set out in the contract.