ewl invests heavily in renewable heat supply
Lucerne - With a profit of CHF 37,6 million, ewl looks back on a successful financial year. The company made strong gains in the field of climate-friendly heat supply, driven by major investments and increasing customer demand.
n 2024, ewl energie wasser luzern generated a profit of CHF 37,6 million and channelled a significant share of its investments into expanding its renewable heat supply. A total of CHF 27,8 million – around 42 percent of all investments – was allocated to new infrastructure for lake energy and district heating, according to a press release. Heat sales rose by 18,4 percent to 171,4 gigawatt hours, with over 91 percent coming from renewable sources.
In the city of Lucerne, ewl pushed ahead with the expansion of its lake energy network, including new neighbourhood hubs in areas like Rösslimatt and Geissensteinring. Planning for three additional district heating networks – on the left and right banks of Lake Lucerne and in the Würzenbach area – also progressed in collaboration with the city. Meanwhile, the district heating network was extended further, with the St. Karlistrasse and Reussport areas successfully connected. The networks in Emmen and Rontal were also expanded.
ewl also achieved growth in its newer business areas. In telecommunications, revenue rose by 12,3 percent to CHF 22,5 million – driven by new clients at the Stollen Lucerne data centre, growth at subsidiary arcade, and increased fibre-optic usage. The services business also expanded, with revenue growing by 5,9 percent to CHF 15,1 million. This was largely due to strong demand for e-mobility solutions, electrical installations, and energy data management.
Despite falling market prices for energy – due in part to the abolition of Germany’s gas surcharge and a reduction in electricity tariffs – ewl remained financially robust. Operating cash flow increased by 4 percent, and the equity ratio remained stable at 72.6 percent. A dividend of CHF 7 million will be proposed to the City of Lucerne.
In 2024, ewl employed 425 people across more than 70 professions, including 19 apprentices in seven different roles. CEO Patrik Rust emphasises the human side of the company’s success: «Behind the energy transition are people with a strong sense of purpose. Each of them contributes daily to a more sustainable future for our region.»
