1 Mar 2024

In cooperation with Westenergie AG, Stadtwerke Erft GmbH has founded a joint holding company called 'PSO-Erft GmbH'.

This new company will take on strategic and operational tasks in the area of ​​intelligent energy infrastructure planning for the electricity, gas, and water networks of the neighboring towns of Bedburg, Elsdorf, and Bergheim.

PSO-Erft GmbH

Stadtwerke Erft holds a 74.9 percent stake in PSO-Erft and Westenergie AG holds a 25.1 percent stake. 

The Erft municipal utility company had already founded the new company PSO-Erft as agreed. With the signature of Dr. Stefan Küppers, Chief Technology Officer of Westenergie, the already planned and agreed participation of Westenergie in PSO-Erft GmbH was implemented. 

QUIRINUS Control Center

It has direct access to the resilient IT system infrastructures developed there, as well as the applications

In this context, the Deputy Head of 'Municipal Partner Management Western Rhineland' at Westenergie, Michael Kesternich, was appointed as additional Managing Director, alongside Managing Director - Dr. Hildegard Hoecker, Commercial Authorized Representative of Stadtwerke Erft GmbH. 

With the new PSO Erft GmbH located in the QUIRINUS Forum in Elsdorf-Heppendorf, it has direct access to the resilient IT system infrastructures developed there, as well as the applications in the 'QUIRINUS Control Center'.

software solution and data

Mayor Sascha Solbach, City of Bedburg, acting spokesman for the shareholders' meeting of Stadtwerke Erft GmbH, said "With PSO-Erft GmbH, we are combining our strengths and expertise as Stadtwerke Erft GmbH with our long-standing partner Westenergie at the level of regional energy infrastructure systems."

Mayor Sascha Solbach adds, "The company's goal is to use a software solution and data from network operators to efficiently control the supply of electricity, gas, and water networks, among other things, and thus operate intelligent energy management. We are, therefore, relying on inter-municipal, citizen-oriented cooperation and digital tools to implement the energy transition locally." 

electricity, gas, and water

Westenergie will contribute the region-specific technical data pool and expertise for the existing network

In the future, Westenergie will contribute the region-specific technical data pool and expertise for the existing network in the electricity, gas, and water sectors to PSO-Erft.

Dr. Stefan Küppers emphasized when signing the partnership agreement, "By contributing our decades of experience and the consistent use of our data, we will set new standards in the development of an efficient energy infrastructure in PSO-Erft." 

climate protection and sustainability

Dr. Stefan Küppers adds, "Together we are designing the infrastructure for more climate protection, more sustainability, and for the secure supply of people in the region around the cities of Bedburg, Bergheim, and Elsdorf."

The company only uses network operator data that is legally available due to existing service contracts and unbundling provisions of the EnWG. 

economically robust

Westenergie will commission services in addition to the municipalities and develop further activities

In order to build up and expand local value creation, it is also planned that Westenergie will commission services in addition to the municipalities and develop further business activities with its partners within the new holding company.

Stefan Küppers continued, "The aim is to build up and establish an independent, economically robust, and operational company on the market. Activities in the area of ​​energy sales are not planned." 

energy transition

Dr. Hildegard Hoecker, Managing Director of PSO-Erft GmbH, stated, "With the headquarters of PSO-Erft GmbH in the QUIRINUS Forum in Elsdorf-Heppendorf, we are amid the innovation drivers of the energy transition."

Dr. Hildegard Hoecker adds, "As a "caretaker", PSO-Erft also ensures smooth communication between the connected municipalities, their citizens, as well as companies and institutions."