Lübeck Awards €14.47M Natural Gas Supply Contract to Stadtwerke Lübeck Gruppe GmbH

The Hanseatic City of Lübeck has awarded a €14.47 million natural gas supply contract to Stadtwerke Lübeck Gruppe GmbH. The contract covers gas deliveries for municipal properties for the supply years 2027 to 2029, with an option for a one-year extension. The open procedure attracted two tenders, with the contract awarded to the local municipal utility company.

Introduction

The Hanseatic City of Lübeck (Hansestadt Lübeck) has conducted an open procedure for the supply of natural gas for municipal properties across the city. The contract covers the supply years 2027 to 2029, with an option for a one-year extension of the contract term.

The contract, valued at €14,467,200, has been awarded to Stadtwerke Lübeck Gruppe GmbH, the local municipal utility company. The contract covers gas supply to delivery points located throughout the entire urban area of Lübeck.

The procurement was conducted under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU, the German Competition Act (GWB), and the German Procurement Regulation (VgV). The evaluation criterion was price-only (100%).

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures a stable and cost-effective natural gas supply for municipal properties in the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, supporting public services and infrastructure.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports municipal operations: Ensures gas supply for city-owned properties
• Significant value: €14,467,200 contract
• Long-term stability: 3-year supply contract with option for 1-year extension
• Local supplier: Awarded to the local municipal utility (Stadtwerke Lübeck)
• City-wide coverage: Delivery points across the entire Lübeck urban area
• Price focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• Transparent process: Open procedure under GWB and VgV

Contract Timeline

• Contract concluded: 24 August 2026
• Contract start date: 1 January 2027
• Contract end date: 1 January 2030 (3 years)
• Option: One-time extension for an additional supply year
• Maximum total duration: 4 years (if option exercised)
• Notice published: 25 August 2026 (OJ S 163/2026)

Contract Overview

The Hanseatic City of Lübeck conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU, the German Competition Act (GWB), and the German Procurement Regulation (VgV).

Key features include:

• Single lot: One contract covering all natural gas supply
• Total awarded value: €14,467,200.00
• Duration: 3 years (1 January 2027 – 1 January 2030)
• Option: One-time extension for an additional supply year
• No framework agreement: Direct supply contract
• Evaluation: Price (100%)
• Winner: Stadtwerke Lübeck Gruppe GmbH (large local utility)
• Subcontracting: Not yet known
• No EU funding

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	1.102.3 Zentrale Verwaltungsdienste, Statistik und Wahlen - Hansestadt Lübeck - Der Bürgermeister
Contract title	Erdgaslieferung für die städtischen Liegenschaften der Hansestadt Lübeck
Main CPV	09123000 Natural gas
Procedure type	Open procedure (standard regime)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU; German GWB; German VgV
Awarded value (EUR)	€14,467,200.00
Number of lots	1
Contract duration	3 years (1 January 2027 – 1 January 2030)
Option	One-time extension for an additional supply year
Maximum total duration	4 years
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Price (100%)
Location	Lübeck, Germany (NUTS: DEF03)
Subcontracting	Not yet known
Number of tenders	2
SME participation	1 medium-sized bidder

Delivery Scope

• Coverage: Municipal properties across the entire urban area of Lübeck
• Delivery points: Located throughout the city (see annex to gas supply contract)
• Supply years: 2027 to 2029 (with option for 2030)
• Contract type: Direct supply contract (not a framework agreement)

Option Details

• Option type: One-time extension of the contract term
• Extension period: One additional supply year
• Exercise: At the discretion of the contracting authority
• Maximum total duration: 4 years (3 years initial + 1-year option)

About the Contracting Authority

1.102.3 Zentrale Verwaltungsdienste, Statistik und Wahlen - Hansestadt Lübeck - Der Bürgermeister is the central administrative services unit of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, responsible for procurement, statistics, and elections on behalf of the Mayor's office.

The Hansestadt Lübeck is a major city in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany, with a rich Hanseatic history and a population of approximately 220,000 residents.

About the Winning Supplier

Stadtwerke Lübeck Gruppe GmbH is the local municipal utility company for the Hanseatic City of Lübeck. The company provides energy, water, and other public services to the city and surrounding region.

• Size: Large enterprise
• Headquarters: Geniner Straße 80, Lübeck, Germany (NUTS: DEF03)
• Registration number: HRB 4900 Lübeck
• Beneficial owner nationality: Germany
• Contact: lars.may@swhl.de
• Subcontracting: Not yet known

Evaluation Criteria

The contract was awarded based on a single criterion:

• Price (100%): The lowest price was the sole determining factor for the award.
• Weighting: Points-based weighting (exact)
• Award criterion number: 100

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU, GWB, and VgV.
• Competition: Two tenders were received, both submitted electronically.
• SME participation: One medium-sized bidder participated (no small or micro bidders).
• International participation: No bids from other EEA countries or outside the EEA.
• No EU funding: The procurement is not financed with EU funds.
• No framework agreement: This is a direct supply contract.
• No dynamic purchasing system used.
• Accelerated procedure: No.
• Review body: Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Arbeit, Technologie und Tourismus (Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Employment, Technology and Tourism of Schleswig-Holstein).
• Inadmissible tenders: Zero tenders were verified as inadmissible.
• Abnormally low prices: Zero tenders were rejected for abnormally low prices.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The procurement was conducted entirely electronically via the DTVP procurement platform.
• All communication (questions, answers, changes) was conducted through the platform.
• Bids could only be submitted via the bidder tool on the platform.
• The award is price-only (100% weighting).
• The winning supplier is the local municipal utility company.
• Review deadlines under GWB § 160(3) and § 135(2) apply.
• No strategic procurement objectives were specified.

Procurement Communication Details

The contracting authority provided specific instructions for communication and bid submission:

• Questions: Must be submitted exclusively electronically via the procurement portal (DTVP) under "Communication"
• Changes: Important changes to tender documents are communicated via the portal
• Regular monitoring: Bidders are advised to regularly check the project room for updates
• No telephone or oral inquiries: Only written communication via the portal is accepted
• Bid submission: Exclusively via the bidder tool on the DTVP platform to ensure encryption
• Excluded submission methods: Email, post, or portal communication section (not accepted)

Market & Industry Perspective

The German municipal energy market is characterised by strong local ties, with many cities awarding energy supply contracts to their own municipal utilities (Stadtwerke). This practice ensures local control over energy supply and supports local economic development.

Key trends in this market include:

• Local supplier preference: Municipalities often choose local utilities
• Price competition: Energy contracts are typically price-driven
• Long-term contracts: 3-4 year supply agreements are common
• Digital procurement: Increasing use of procurement portals
• Energy transition: Growing interest in renewable energy sources

Economic Significance

At €14.47 million, this contract represents a significant energy procurement for the Hanseatic City of Lübeck. The contract will:

• Ensure municipal operations: Gas supply for city-owned properties
• Support local economy: Awarded to the local municipal utility
• Provide price stability: Fixed pricing for 3-4 years
• Enable efficient operations: Reliable energy supply for public services
• Maintain local control: Energy supply managed by the city's own utility

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this contract now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected in 2030 or 2031 (depending on option exercise)
• Renewable energy: Potential future tenders for green gas or renewable energy
• Other municipal utilities: Similar tenders from other German cities
• Energy services: Related energy efficiency or consulting services

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for energy suppliers:

• Re-tender: Prepare for the next procurement cycle
• Other German municipalities: Similar gas supply tenders
• Renewable gas: Growing market for green gas and biomethane
• Energy services: Value-added services beyond supply

What Businesses Should Watch

• Lübeck's future energy procurement notices
• Other German municipal gas supply tenders
• Energy market price trends
• Renewable energy and green gas developments
• Changes to German energy regulations

GermanyTenders Procurement Intelligence

This natural gas supply contract is a notable example of German municipal energy procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €14.47 million over 3-4 years
• Price focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• Local supplier: Awarded to the municipal utility
• City-wide coverage: Delivery points across the entire urban area
• Digital procurement: Fully electronic via DTVP platform
• Option: One-year extension available

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: Price is the sole evaluation criterion
• Local presence: Established local suppliers often have an advantage
• Digital capability: Ability to use procurement platforms
• Long-term contracts: Ability to commit to 3-4 year supply agreements
• Municipal experience: Understanding of public sector procurement

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing – 100% of evaluation is price-based
• Develop strong relationships with municipal utilities
• Ensure digital procurement capability
• Prepare for 3-4 year supply commitments
• Monitor German municipal energy tenders
• Consider renewable energy offerings for future tenders

Key Takeaways

• Lübeck awarded a €14.47M natural gas supply contract to Stadtwerke Lübeck Gruppe GmbH
• Duration: 3 years (1 January 2027 – 1 January 2030)
• Option: One-time extension for an additional supply year
• Evaluation: Price (100%)
• Two tenders received, both electronic
• Winner: Large local municipal utility company
• Delivery points across the entire Lübeck urban area
• Fully digital procurement via DTVP platform

Conclusion

This natural gas supply contract ensures a stable and cost-effective energy supply for municipal properties in the Hanseatic City of Lübeck for the supply years 2027 to 2029, with the option for a one-year extension. By awarding the contract to Stadtwerke Lübeck Gruppe GmbH, the city maintains local control over its energy supply and supports the local economy.

The 100% price-based evaluation reflects the commoditised nature of natural gas supply, where price is the primary differentiator. The two tenders received demonstrate moderate competition, with the local utility securing the contract.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of competitive pricing, digital procurement capability, and strong municipal relationships in the German energy market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Hanseatic City of Lübeck?

Ans: A major city in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany, with a population of approximately 220,000 residents.

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: €14,467,200.00.

Q: Who is the winner?

Ans: Stadtwerke Lübeck Gruppe GmbH, the local municipal utility company.

Q: What is being procured?

Ans: Natural gas (CPV 09123000) for municipal properties.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price (100%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 3 years (1 January 2027 – 1 January 2030), with an option for a one-year extension.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: Two tenders were received, both submitted electronically.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Arbeit, Technologie und Tourismus (Schleswig-Holstein).

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 586807-2026, OJ S 163/2026, published 25 August 2026.