Investment in Berlin’s electricity grid: BEN and European Investment Bank sign loan agreement
23.09.2025
“With a loan volume of €380 million, we will be able to provide additional funds for investments in the capital’s electricity grid. This will enable our subsidiary, Stromnetz Berlin, together with the European Investment Bank, to secure Berlin’s long-term energy supply and prepare for the ongoing energy transition,” said Stephan Boy, managing director of BEN Berlin Energie und Netzholding GmbH, at today’s ceremonial signing of a loan agreement between BEN, as the financial and management holding company of Stromnetz Berlin GmbH, and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The signing took place at the Stromnetz Berlin substation on Alte Jakobstraße in Berlin-Mitte.
“Berliners will benefit from a modern, digitalised electricity grid that will provide a safer, more reliable and more sustainable power supply. The EIB, together with the federal state of Berlin, is supporting BEN Berlin Energie und Netzholding and Stromnetz Berlin with €380 million in financing to make the city’s energy infrastructure fit for the future. Hundreds of thousands of metres of new power cables and network components, as well as more digital services, will mean greater security of supply, growth and quality of life for 2.3 million Berliners,” said EIB Vice-President Nicola Beer at the event, which was held in a Stromnetz Berlin substation.
The total investment amounts to over €770 million – a boost that will promote new digital services, propel e-mobility and support the integration of renewable energy across the rooftops of this vibrant city.
Dr Erik Landeck, managing director of Stromnetz Berlin, expressed his great appreciation for the loan’s vital contribution to this project: “With this loan, our parent company BEN Berlin Energie und Netzholding GmbH and the European Investment Bank are enabling us to steadily advance our investment plan over the coming years. The funds will secure Stromnetz Berlin’s investments for the years ahead.”
These investments will not only expand and modernise the infrastructure – particularly to support the energy transition – but also increase the resilience of the grid. The state-owned company plans to invest around €3 billion in its infrastructure by 2029.
“This fruitful collaboration has been made possible thanks to the solid equity capital provided by the federal state of Berlin over recent years. For this, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Berlin. It is only through this trust that we, as a state-owned infrastructure company, are able to take major steps towards the future,” added Stephan Boy.
The Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises Franziska Giffey highlighted the role of the federal state of Berlin: “The importance of a robust, crisis-resilient and secure electricity supply in our expanding city has become strikingly clear in recent days. A robust power supply is equally vital for Berlin as an innovation hub, demonstrated by the rapid digitalisation of our daily lives and businesses, the increasing electrification of mobility, and the vital energy transition that is underway. These developments place enormous demands on our electricity grid. That is why we are continuously investing in expanding grid capacity, installing new power lines, and strengthening the security of our energy supply. Last year’s €300 million equity injection into Stromnetz Berlin GmbH was a major step, now followed by the EIB’s €380 million loan. With this, we are sending a clear signal that Berlin and Europe remain committed to a robust, sustainable and secure energy supply. And through our climate pact, we will further strengthen these future investments in our infrastructure.”
Senator Franziska Giffey (left to right), Stephan Boy, Nicola Beer, Bernhard Büllmann and Dr. Erik Landeck. Picture: Stage View / Pedro Becerra