New wind at Stadtwerke Neustadt: Lutz Rüttinger takes over the helm!

New wind at Stadtwerke Neustadt: Lutz Rüttinger takes over the helm!

From February 1, 2025, Lutz Rüttinger will take over the management of Stadtwerke Neustadt an der Weinstraße GmbH. The 47-year-old-born in Essen brings more than 15 years of experience in the energy industry and replaces Torsten Hinkel, who leaves the company after 25 years. Hinkel will work in the training and handover phase by the end of March 2025.

During his time at the municipal utility, Hinkel contributed significantly to the financial stability and development of the company. Mayor Stefan Ulrich paid tribute to his achievements, while Hinkel thanked for the positive cooperation and is planning a break for personal reorientation. He joined the municipal utility in 2000 and was an authorized officer from 2008 and since 2014 commercial managing director.

challenges of the energy and heat transition

The challenges in front of which Rüttinger stand are clearly outlined: the Neustadt municipal utility company supply about 55,000 inhabitants with electricity, gas, water and warmth. The focus is increasingly placed on the energy and heat transition. The transformation from fossil to climate -neutral heat sources is to take place by 2045. For this purpose, efficient heating networks are to be developed as a central elements at the local level in order to ensure a comprehensive heat supply.

This transformation brings with it planning and financial challenges, which are analyzed by the current study of the public economy, infrastructure and general interest (KOWID) at the University of Leipzig. In the study, in which around 600 municipalities and 100 energy supply companies from Germany took part, current fields of action and problems of the heat transition were identified.

Lutz Rüttinger's career

Before his new position, Lutz Rüttinger worked at MVV Energie AG and Juwi GmbH, most recently as an authorized representative of controlling and finance. Previously, he started as a management consultant at BCG and was a co -founder of Next Kraftwerke GmbH. Rüttinger's broad experience is considered a key to reliably master the upcoming challenges in the energy sector.

The Stadtwerke Neustadt is ready to face the upcoming changes. The coming weeks and months will be crucial to set the course for sustainable and climate -neutral energy supply, and Rüttinger will play a central role in this. The support from experienced colleagues and Hinkel in the transition period could be of great advantage for Rüttinger.