Cologne's municipal utilities: record profits and alarming losses!

Cologne's municipal utilities: record profits and alarming losses!

Stadtwerke Köln (SWK) generated an impressive sales volume of 10.8 billion euros in 2023. This means that the company remains the largest municipal group of companies in Germany and offers over 15,000 jobs. A pleasing annual surplus of 88 million euros was recorded, of which 50 million euros were paid to the city of Cologne koeln.de reported. This balance represents a positive contrast to the challenges caused by the energy crisis and the ongoing shortage of skilled workers.

There is also movement in waste management: The Cologne Waste Management Companies (AWB) increased their sales from 201.3 million euros to 209.9 million euros. However, profits fell from 22.0 million euros to 17.2 million euros. The amount of residual waste increased by 4,300 tons to 232,700 tons. Progress was also made in street cleaning: 9,340 kilometers were cleaned, 20 kilometers more than the previous year.

Profits and investments

The development of the Ports and Freight Transport Cologne (HGK) is particularly encouraging, with a record profit of 20.1 million euros, which corresponds to an increase of 46 percent. Sales grew by 2.9 million euros to 83.1 million euros. Part of this profit will be invested in reserves, while 11.6 million euros will be paid to the municipal utilities. The HGK shows how the diversity of business areas contributes to the financial stability of the entire group of companies.

Looking to the future, Stadtwerke Köln is planning investments of around 10 billion euros by 2035. These investments should primarily benefit the infrastructure, networks and IT technology. In a constantly changing energy market, it is crucial to invest in renewable energies and innovative technologies. Municipal utilities like SWK are faced with the task of adapting to new regulations, such as the amendment to the internal gas market directive, which poses strategic challenges for the industry, such as: ey.com shows.

The outlook for the next few years

The Cologne baths are faced with less encouraging figures. The annual loss grew from 19.5 million euros to 22.1 million euros, with visitor numbers of 2.9 million. A further loss of 24 million euros is forecast in 2025, underlining the need for 22.3 million euros of investment for a realignment at Agrippabad. The water area expansion in Lentpark also costs 15 million euros.

Stadtwerke Köln remains not only an important employer, but also a committed training company. At the end of 2023 there were 15,170 employees and 571 trainees in 41 professions. This development shows that despite the challenges, a positive signal is being sent for the future.

As municipal utilities prepare for the challenges of energy supply and the necessary investments, the question remains as to how changes in energy policy will help or harm municipal companies. Competition for the best strategies and concepts will continue to be crucial in order to maintain positive development.