Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.d5.0152
Remunicipalisation and Foundation of Municipal Utilities in the German Energy Sector: Details about Newly Established Enterprises
Oliver Wagner
; Research Group Energy, Transport and Climate Policy, Wuppertal Institute, Döppersberg 19, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Kurt Berlo
; Research Group Energy, Transport and Climate Policy, Wuppertal Institute, Döppersberg 19, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Abstract
Since the majority of network concession contracts in Germany were set to expire some time between 2005 and 2016, a window of opportunity arose in which to rebuild and remunicipalise the local energy supply. As a result, 72 new local power companies were established in Germany within the space of just seven years (between early 2005 and late 2012). This paper provides an introduction to the topic of establishing municipal utilities in Germany. The findings were identified on the basis of the comprehensive screening of all newly established municipal utilities in Germany. Our analysis provides information about regional concentration, the size of municipalities, the legal forms of the newly founded municipal public utilities and the role of strategic partnerships. The key findings are that remunicipalisation is not a question of size and that knowledge gaps may be closed by entering into close strategic partnerships.
Keywords
Transition research; Energy transition; Remunicipalisation; Municipal utilities; Local politics
Hrčak ID:
186495
URI
Publication date:
30.9.2017.
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