For a smalltalk with Simone Ertel
Simone Ertel, Member of the Extended Executive Board and Head of Communications at the GASAG Group
1. Why are you involved as a Berlin-Partner?
Because at GASAG, we love Berlin – and we want to help shape it. As an energy provider with over 175 years of experience in the capital, we see it as our responsibility to actively contribute to Berlin’s energy and heating transition. This can only succeed in collaboration with partners from business, science, and politics. Berlin Partner is an important hub in this network for us.
2. What drives your company, and what are you currently working on?
The GASAG Group is undergoing a comprehensive transformation. We are rapidly restructuring our infrastructure toward climate neutrality – particularly by building a hydrogen economy and expanding climate-friendly heating solutions. At the same time, we are evolving our brand and communications: fresher, bolder, and closer to the people.
3. What do you value about Berlin as a (business) location?
For us, Berlin is a vibrant ecosystem full of talent, ideas, and a strong will to shape the future. The city is creative, international, and adaptable – a perfect place to test new technologies and implement ambitious projects. The close exchange with administration, politics, and civil society is also very valuable to us as a Berlin-based company.
4. What distinguishes your company in terms of sustainability at the Berlin location?
As an integrated energy service provider covering the entire energy value chain, we take a holistic approach to sustainability – ecologically, economically, and socially. By investing in green technologies such as geothermal energy, power-to-heat, and hydrogen, we are laying the groundwork for a climate-neutral energy future. Equally important to us is the expansion of local heating networks to provide affordable solutions for our customers across the board. A concrete example is the Gartenfeld project, where we use waste heat from a data center for heating – an innovative approach that demonstrates how sector coupling can succeed. We are also changing processes and reducing emissions within our own organization. Because real change always starts with ourselves.