ManagEnergy Expert Mission #21: Expanding KEK’s Services for Climate Neutrality in Karlsruhe

From 30 September to 2 October 2025, Christiane Egger, Deputy Manager of the OÖ Energiesparverband (Austria), travelled to Karlsruhe, Germany, for the 21st ManagEnergy Expert Mission. Hosted by the Karlsruher Energie- und Klimaschutzagentur (KEK), the mission focused on helping the agency’s new management team further develop their service offer and strengthen cooperation with other regional energy actors.

Building New Services for Businesses

A key focus of the mission was the expansion of KEK’s services for companies, reflecting the growing need for business engagement in Karlsruhe’s journey towards climate neutrality. Through a stakeholder workshop and an internal team session, participants explored how to design a new advisory service for local businesses.

These discussions resulted in a clear roadmap and timeline for developing and launching the new service in the coming months, as well as identifying potential partnerships for its delivery.

“We have learned a lot! I am convinced that sharing best practices on climate neutrality and the local energy transition, as well as looking beyond our own horizons, will help us move forward.”

Anne Held, Director of KEK

Strengthening Urban Energy Agency Cooperation

Another central topic was strategic collaboration among urban energy agencies, which face specific challenges and opportunities compared to their rural counterparts. A dedicated workshop brought together representatives from the energy agencies of Heidelberg, Freiburg, and Mannheim to explore possibilities for resource sharing, joint projects, and shared financing models.

This exchange led to the identification of several concrete cooperation opportunities that could reinforce the collective impact of energy agencies operating in Germany’s urban regions.

Inspiring the Next Steps in Local Energy Action

The mission also inspired KEK’s plans to enhance its information and training activities, including the concept of a future “Heat Transition Academy”, which the agency aims to launch next year. This initiative would offer practical learning opportunities for professionals and citizens engaged in the energy transition.

“The new management of KEK is transforming the organisation into a powerful instrument of the local energy transition, and it was a pleasure to support this process through ManagEnergy.”

Christiane Egger, ManagEnergy Expert & OÖ Energiesparverband Deputy Manager

With a strengthened service offer, dynamic leadership, and closer cooperation with other regional actors, KEK is well positioned to accelerate Karlsruhe’s path to climate neutrality and continue advancing innovative solutions for a sustainable urban future.

Find out more about ManagEnergy Expert Missions