EWN looks towards Lake Lucerne for heat generation activities

EWN is striving to expand its heating business over the coming years. Among other aspects, the plans envisage the use of Lake Lucerne for heat generation activities. As the company’s current annual report explains, projects in this are under development “in close coordination with the municipalities of Buochs and Hergiswil”. At present, the projects are still at an early stage, although they are set to be elevated to the status of construction project this spring. EWN is planning additional heating projects for the Feld region in Stansstad in the canton of Nidwalden. However, the search for a location for the heat station is still ongoing.

Moreover, EWN intends to expand electricity production from renewable sources. In this context, the company is keen to discuss the potential for solar projects in “sunny cantons” with partners, among other options. In the field of hydropower, the plans are centered around the Chlus hydroelectric power station in conjunction with Repartner Produktions AG, an investment firm based in the canton of Graubünden. Discussions to clarify licensing law requirements in this regard are still ongoing.

Overall, under its current strategy, EWN is seeking to transform itself into a fully integrated full-service energy provider. However, the production and distribution of electricity will still form the core business. The company closed the 2022 financial year with a profit of 7.7 million Swiss francs, having recorded an equivalent result of just under 14 million Swiss francs in the prior year. At 11.9 million Swiss francs, operating income was around 8 percent up year on year. ssp