In April 1898, in the industrial heart of Essen, Germany, Rheinisch-Westfälische Elektrizitätswerk AG was founded as a local municipal utility. The founders recognized a fundamental gap: the rapidly industrializing world needed reliable, scalable electricity to power progress. What began as a regional electricity supplier evolved into one of Europe's largest power producers, growing alongside the energy demands of the 20th century. Through two World Wars, reconstruction, and economic miracles, RWE powered Germany's rise, expanding from coal and lignite into nuclear, gas, and renewables. The company's story mirrors the continent's energy journey - from the early electrical grid to today's green transition.
By 2018, RWE stood at a crossroads. The energy world was transforming, and the company knew its future lay in sustainable power. That year, RWE announced a landmark asset swap with E.ON, transferring international renewable generation assets worth billions to reshape its portfolio. Today, RWE is already one of the world's leading companies in renewable energy, investing billions annually in offshore and onshore wind, solar, and battery storage. With operations across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific, the company has committed to being carbon neutral by 2040. From its headquarters in Essen - where the original utility was founded 125 years ago - RWE now pioneers green hydrogen, floating offshore wind, and next-generation storage, driving the global energy transition forward.