Elektrizitätswerk des Kantons Schaffhausen

Elektrizitätswerk des Kantons Schaffhausen (EKS) is a Swiss energy supply company headquartered in Schaffhausen. It distributes electricity to roughly 110,000 people in the Canton of Schaffhausen and in adjacent German territories. The company was established following a 1908 vote by the canton's citizens, who approved the creation of an electricity utility intended to bring power to even the remotest corners of the canton. At the time, the municipalities of Schaffhausen and Hallau already operated their own plants, and across the region the earliest electricity works had been built by private individuals and communes. EKS's first priority was to build a distribution network quickly, initially using overhead power lines, with electricity supplied by hydroelectric plants. Although EKS considered building its own power plants, in 1914 Schaffhausen joined with other cantons to found Nordostschweizerische Kraftwerke (NOK), which handled generation. Since then EKS has operated purely as a distribution utility. In the 1950s, rapidly growing electricity demand, new residential areas, higher voltages and additional substations reshaped the network, while overhead lines were moved underground to improve the landscape. In 2000 the utility became a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft), with the Canton of Schaffhausen holding 75% and EKT Holding AG holding 15%. EKS also operates infrastructure in Germany: a line running from Thayngen via the Singen substation in Germany to the Schlattingen substation in Switzerland, and it acts as grid operator across the entire Höri area, covering the German municipalities of Öhningen, Gaienhofen and Moos. On the product side, EKS promotes installations that substitute fossil energy and thereby avoid CO2 emissions, with particular emphasis in its production and procurement strategy on new renewable energies — geothermal, biogas, biomass, wind, photovoltaics and small hydro. In 2008 it launched the Naturstrombörse, an online platform for natural electricity from the region, an idea later adopted by the cantons of Thurgau, St. Gallen and Appenzell. A distinctive feature of EKS is its supply of electricity to adjacent German areas. In 2007 the company ran a lighting competence centre called Licht'FORMAT', which included a specialist design-lighting shop and home advisory services for private customers.

The creation of Elektrizitätswerk des Kantons Schaffhausen was approved by the canton's voters in 1908. The aim was an energy supply company that would carry electricity to even the most remote corners of the Canton of Schaffhausen. At that time the municipalities of Schaffhausen and Hallau already had their own plants, and as elsewhere in the region the first electricity works had been built by private parties and communes. EKS's primary task was to erect a distribution network quickly, which was done at first with overhead power lines. Electricity was supplied by hydroelectric power plants, and EKS considered building its own generating plants. That plan changed in 1914, when Schaffhausen joined with other cantons to found Nordostschweizerische Kraftwerke (NOK), which took on electricity production. From then on EKS was a pure distribution utility. In the 1950s electricity demand grew rapidly. New settlement areas required new lines, higher voltage and additional substations. At the same time, the landscape was improved by moving power lines underground. In 2000 the utility was converted into a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft). The Canton of Schaffhausen holds 75% and EKT Holding AG holds 15%. EKS also operates a line in Germany, running from Thayngen via the Singen substation in Germany to the Schlattingen substation in Switzerland, and it is the grid operator across the whole Höri area, covering the German municipalities of Öhningen, Gaienhofen and Moos. In 2007 the company ran a lighting competence centre called Licht'FORMAT', which included a design-lighting specialist shop and home advisory services for private customers. In 2008 EKS launched the Naturstrombörse, an online platform for natural electricity from the region; the idea was subsequently taken up by the cantons of Thurgau, St. Gallen and Appenzell.

• 2008

  EKS launches the Naturstrombörse, an online platform for regional natural electricity.

• 2007

  EKS runs the Licht'FORMAT' lighting competence centre with a design-lighting shop and home advisory services.

• 2000

  EKS becomes a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft); Canton of Schaffhausen holds 75%, EKT Holding AG 15%.

• 1950

  Rapid growth in electricity demand drives new lines, higher voltage, additional substations and underground cabling.

• 1914

  Schaffhausen joins other cantons to found Nordostschweizerische Kraftwerke (NOK); EKS becomes a pure distribution utility.

• 1908

  Voters of the Canton of Schaffhausen approve the founding of an electricity utility.

Cantonal distribution utility focused on reliable regional supply, renewable energy and cross-border service into southern Germany.

• Electricity distribution

  Supply of electricity to around 110,000 people in the Canton of Schaffhausen and adjacent German areas.

• Naturstrombörse

  Online platform for natural electricity from the region, launched in 2008.

• Renewable energy promotion

  Support for installations substituting fossil energy, including geothermal, biogas, biomass, wind, photovoltaics and small hydro.

• Licht'FORMAT'

  Lighting competence centre run by EKS in 2007, with a design-lighting shop and home advisory services.

1. 1Elektrizitätswerk des Kantons Schaffhausen – Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Elektrizitätswerk des Kantons Schaffhausen – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3EKS official websiteeks.ch