Stadtwerke Kufstein

Stadtwerke Kufstein GmbH is the municipal utility company of Kufstein, a town in the Tyrolean lowlands of Austria. Founded in 1894 as the "Städtische Wasserleitungsanstalt" (municipal waterworks), it has grown into a multi-service provider that supplies electricity, drinking water, wastewater disposal, waste management, district heating, cable television, internet, and telephony to households, businesses, and public institutions in Kufstein and several neighbouring municipalities, including Thiersee, Ebbs, Langkampfen, Schwoich, and even Bayrischzell in Germany. The company is wholly owned by the City of Kufstein and employs more than 150 specialists. Electricity has been part of the company's portfolio since 1898, when it began operating a small hydroelectric plant. Today, Stadtwerke Kufstein distributes around 125–140 GWh of electricity annually to over 13,600 customers across a supply area of about 160 square kilometres. The energy is sourced entirely from Austria, predominantly from hydropower, wind, and biomass. The company also operates the local electricity grid. Water supply remains a core business. Since 1894, Stadtwerke Kufstein has provided drinking water to Kufstein and parts of Ebbs and Langkampfen, serving roughly 20,000 residents through an 83-kilometre network. The main source is the Hofinger Quelle in the Kaisertal valley, supplemented by the Fürhölzl deep well as a backup. Wastewater services have been managed by the company since 1996, operating a 55-kilometre sewer network and four pumping stations that feed into the regional treatment plant. District heating was introduced in 1978, and in 2003 the company, together with Tiroler Wasserkraft, commissioned one of Austria's largest biomass heating plants through the joint venture Bioenergie Kufstein. This plant supplies about 70 million kWh of heat and 22 million kWh of green electricity annually, covering nearly two-thirds of Kufstein's heating demand. Under the KufNet brand, Stadtwerke Kufstein offers cable television, broadband internet, and VoIP telephony over a cable and fibre network that has been expanded since 1974. As of 2023, KufNet served around 15,000 customers in over 17 municipalities. The company also runs the local city bus (Stadtbus Kufstein) and the Kaiserlift cable car, and it launched the Beecar e-carsharing service in 2018. Waste management includes the operation of a recycling centre and collection services. Stadtwerke Kufstein holds stakes in several subsidiaries and associated companies, including Kufgem GmbH (100%), Energie West Management- & Service GmbH (10.53%), Festung GmbH (50%), and Bioenergie Kufstein GmbH (50%). The company's guiding principle is "Gestalten statt verwalten" (shaping rather than administering), reflecting its active role in the region's sustainable development.

Stadtwerke Kufstein traces its origins to 1894, when it was founded as the "Städtische Wasserleitungsanstalt" (municipal waterworks) by visionary citizens of Kufstein. The initial purpose was to provide a reliable drinking water supply to the town. Shortly after, the company expanded into electricity and electrical installations, with the first hydroelectric plant beginning operation in 1898. This marked the start of a long tradition of electricity supply in the region. Over the following decades, the company grew alongside the town. In 1974, the cable network was first built, laying the foundation for what would later become KufNet, the company's telecommunications brand. In 1978, the district heating network was established, utilising heat from a biomass plant. In 1996, the company took over the operation of the wastewater network for the city of Kufstein, adding another essential service to its portfolio. A major milestone occurred in December 2003, when Bioenergie Kufstein, a joint venture between Tiroler Wasserkraft and Stadtwerke Kufstein, commissioned what was then Austria's largest biomass heating plant on a 15,000 m² site. This plant generates approximately 70 million kWh of district heating and 22 million kWh of green electricity annually, covering nearly two-thirds of Kufstein's heating demand. In January 2006, the organisation of the Stadtbus Kufstein (city bus) was transferred to Stadtwerke Kufstein, although operations were carried out by Verkehrsbetriebe Achhorner KG. The bus service, integrated into the Tyrol Transport Association (VVT), operates four lines and carries around 600,000 passengers annually. In early 2024, the Ledermair company took over Achhorner KG and has since operated the city bus. In summer 2018, Stadtwerke Kufstein launched Beecar, an e-carsharing project offering electric vehicles for shared use. This initiative reflects the company's commitment to sustainable mobility. The company also operates the Kaiserlift cable car and a recycling centre. Throughout its history, Stadtwerke Kufstein has remained wholly owned by the City of Kufstein. It has expanded its services to neighbouring municipalities and even into Germany (Bayrischzell). The company holds interests in several subsidiaries and associated companies, including Kufgem GmbH (100%), Energie West Management- & Service GmbH (10.53%), Festung GmbH (50%), and Bioenergie Kufstein GmbH (50%). With more than 150 employees, it continues to focus on sustainable, regional supply and innovative services.

• 2024

  Ledermair took over Achhorner KG, which operates the city bus.

• 2018

  Launched Beecar e-carsharing project.

• 2006

  Organisation of Stadtbus Kufstein transferred to Stadtwerke Kufstein.

• 2003

  Bioenergie Kufstein, a joint venture, commissioned Austria's largest biomass heating plant at the time.

• 1996

  Took over operation of the wastewater network for Kufstein.

• 1978

  District heating network established.

• 1974

  Cable network first built, later becoming KufNet.

• 1898

  Began electricity supply with a simple hydroelectric plant.

• 1894

  Founded as "Städtische Wasserleitungsanstalt" (municipal waterworks) by visionary citizens of Kufstein.

Municipal multi-utility provider focused on sustainable, regional supply of essential services.

• Electricity supply

  Supplies over 13,600 customers in the Kufstein region with electricity, distributing around 125–140 GWh annually over a 160 km² area. Energy is 100% from Austria, mainly hydro, wind, and biomass.

• Water supply

  Provides drinking water to about 20,000 residents in Kufstein and parts of Ebbs and Langkampfen via an 83 km network. Main source is the Hofinger Quelle in Kaisertal, with the Fürhölzl deep well as backup.

• Wastewater disposal

  Operates a 55 km sewer network and four pumping stations, treating over 3 million m³ of wastewater annually.

• Waste management

  Runs the recycling centre and waste collection for Kufstein, including 35 collection points for glass, paper, and metal. Annually handles about 2,400 tonnes of residual waste and 1,500 tonnes of biowaste.

• District heating

  Operates a 37 km district heating network, supplying about 600 facilities (equivalent to 5,600 households and 550 businesses) with heat and hot water, covering nearly two-thirds of Kufstein's heating demand.

• KufNet (cable TV, internet, phone)

  Provides cable television, broadband internet, and VoIP telephony over a cable and fibre network. As of July 2023, about 15,000 customers in over 17 municipalities use the service.

• Stadtbus Kufstein

  City bus service with 4 lines, integrated into the Tyrol Transport Association (VVT). Carries around 600,000 passengers annually. Since early 2024 operated by Ledermair.

• Beecar

  E-carsharing service launched in summer 2018, offering electric vehicles for shared use.

• Kaiserlift

  Cable car service operated by Stadtwerke Kufstein.

1. 1Stadtwerke Kufstein - sicher versorgtstwk.at
2. 2Über Unsstwk.at
3. 3Stadtwerke Kufstein - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Stadtwerke Kufstein - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org