HKCF acts as M&A advisor to „ökoloco”

enercity acquires 75% stake in heating solutions provider ökoloco. Strategic expansion into decentralized clean heat segment. Nationwide rollout of integrated PV, EV, and heat pump offerings. Hannover-based energy utility enercity has acquired a 75% majority stake in ökoloco GmbH, a specialist in decentralized heating solutions based in Essen. The transaction marks a strategic move to expand enercity’s national portfolio in distributed clean energy technologies, following the recent divestment of its digital installation platform Installion. By integrating ökoloco’s capabilities, enercity strengthens its end-to-end service offering for private and commercial customers, providing seamless solutions that combine photovoltaic systems, EV charging infrastructure, and climate-friendly heating technologies such as heat pumps — all from a single provider.

“A decentralized and connected energy world at the customer level will be a key enabler of the energy transition. This partnership accelerates our growth in distributed energy solutions and enhances our ability to meet customer needs with simple, reliable, and sustainable technologies,” said Dr. Susanna Zapreva, CEO of enercity. “Together with ökoloco, we aim to become one of Germany’s leading providers in this segment.” The transaction also secures long-term craftsman capacity for enercity while enabling the rollout of local sales and installation hubs across Germany. ökoloco is currently active with in-house teams across North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Baden-Württemberg.

Heat pump positioned as key technology amid market shift
With an estimated 40% of heating systems in single- and two-family homes in Germany considered outdated (20+ years), enercity is positioning itself to capitalize on the accelerating clean heat transition, reinforced by regulatory mandates requiring 65% renewable share in new heating installations. ökoloco’s planning, advisory, and installation capacities will allow enercity to meet soaring demand more effectively. In 2022, around 236,000 heat pumps were installed in Germany, marking a 53% year-over-year increase, according to BDH (German Heating Industry Association).

Digital sales platform with fixed-price offers accelerates customer access
By taking a majority stake, enercity gains greater independence from scarce market resources in installation and commissioning. Together, the two companies will continue to scale and enhance their digital customer journeys, with a strong focus on renewable heating technologies and integrated solutions. Customers can already receive fixed-price quotes for new sustainable heating systems via a guided online process in just minutes. Consultations are personalized and available via call-back services or video conferencing.

“With enercity, we’ve found a strong partner to scale our portfolio nationwide. We will lead the mass-market breakthrough of heat pumps while also focusing on leasing and contracting models for heating systems,” said Jan-Philipp Hotze, Founder and CEO of ökoloco. “Together, we will set new benchmarks in digitalized customer processes and drive the heat transition forward.”

Following the transaction, Jan-Philipp Hotze retains a 25% minority stake and will continue in his role as CEO. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

Source: Enercity