The city of Pohlheim has decided to continue working with Stadtwerke Gießen in the area of natural gas supply.
On 14 July, representatives of the city of Pohlheim and Stadtwerke Giessen (SWG) concluded a rights of way agreement for the gas supply. The agreement, which runs until 31 March 2039, had previously been discussed by the town's committees, who ultimately voted by a majority in favour of continuing the long-standing and successful collaboration. "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 the conference room of the old school building in Pohlheim. Udo Schöffmann, Mayor of Pohlheim, city councillor Jakob Ernst Kandel, Jens Schmidt and Matthias Funk, the technical director of SWG, sealed the renewed cooperation with their signatures. Jürgen Triller, Head of the Finance/Assets Department of the City of Pohlheim, Ina Weller and Thomas Wagner, both from SWG, were also present.
With the signing, Pohlheim and SWG are finalising a process that the city of Pohlheim initiated back in 2017 with the announcement in the Federal Gazette. Mayor Udo Schöffmann explains the municipality's decision as follows: "Stadtwerke Gießen has repeatedly proven itself to be a reliable and innovative partner in recent years. However, the decisive factor was that SWG was able to convince us in practically all points of our catalogue of criteria and that they presented the best overall package."
Municipalities actually specify complex catalogues of criteria for the concession tender. Those responsible in Pohlheim attached great importance to a natural gas supply that is safe, affordable, efficient, consumer-friendly and environmentally friendly. "Of course we are a little proud to have been awarded the contract. After all, these successes are what we have been working hard for day after day for many years," emphasises Matthias Funk.
Sustainable infrastructure
When it comes to road utilisation contracts, local authorities want close and well-functioning cooperation on an equal footing. They have good reasons for this. After all, a modern natural gas distribution network is an important location factor. "In order to maintain our attractiveness for people and businesses, we need a sustainable infrastructure," says Mayor Udo Schöffmann. "Especially against the backdrop of the energy transition, municipalities like Pohlheim need partners they can rely on. And that's exactly what we will be over the next 20 years," adds Ina Weller, authorised signatory of SWG and project manager of these grid procedures.
The right to use paths
A route utilisation agreement lays the foundation for the natural gas supply in a municipality. It defines the rights and obligations of the contractual partners. The regulation of road use is a central component. It makes it possible - in this case for SWG - to lay and operate pipelines under roads, cycle paths, pavements and squares. SWG pays an annual fee - the concession fee - to the city of Pohlheim for the use of the road, the amount of which is also specified in the contract.