- Topic: Presentation of the 2026/2027 financial planning
- Actors: City of Jena & Stadtwerke Jena Group
- Investment Volume Stadtwerke (2026): approx. 150 million euros
- Core Projects: Renovation of GalaxSea, maintenance of jenawohnen properties, energy and heating transition
- Challenge: Tense communal budget situation (budget freeze)
Jena (11.02.2026) – It is a balancing act between necessary austerity and indispensable investments in the future: The city of Jena and the Stadtwerke Jena Group have disclosed their financial planning for the coming year. The message is twofold – while the municipality must tighten its belt, the Stadtwerke group is preparing for massive expenditures to make the infrastructure of the Saalestadt future-proof.
A Budget Under Pressure
The financial situation of the municipality is, similar to many cities in Germany, tense. Already at the beginning of the year, the city administration felt compelled to impose a budget freeze. Mayor and Finance Director Benjamin Koppe (CDU) contextualized the situation soberly: Jena is caught in a development affecting municipalities nationwide. Demands on the public sector are rising while financial flexibility is shrinking.
Nevertheless, the city must fulfill its obligations. For the year 2026, a municipal subsidy of 7.4 million euros is firmly planned in the budget. These funds are essential to maintain public transport (ÖPNV) and support the ongoing pool modernizations.
Major Investments in Energy and Leisure
While the city administration must prioritize, the city’s commercial arm – the Stadtwerke group – is planning an investment offensive. For the year 2026, a total volume of around 150 million euros is on the agenda. Management members Claudia Budich and Tobias Wolfrum made it clear that the coming years will be defined by transformation.
Focus Areas of the Investments:
- Housing: Around 50 million euros will flow into the renovation of the housing stock of the municipal subsidiary jenawohnen GmbH. This is a direct measure to secure modern living space in Jena.
- Energy Transition: Approximately 45 million euros are earmarked for the energy and heating transition. The expansion of district heating and the modernization of networks are considered the backbone of the city’s climate goals.
- GalaxSea Leisure Pool: A sum of 24.4 million euros is specifically reserved for the energetic transformation of the GalaxSea leisure pool. The popular facility in Winzerla is to be operated more efficiently and sustainably.
Outlook for 2027
The investment curve continues to point upward. For 2027, the planning already foresees expenditures of around 165 million euros. Claudia Budich emphasized that courage and, above all, planning certainty are required for these transformation processes. Managing Director Tobias Wolfrum also referred to the close “shoulder-to-shoulder” cooperation with city leadership to ensure Jena’s future viability despite the difficult framework conditions.
For the citizens, this means that despite the pressure to save at City Hall, construction and modernization will take place in many areas of the city – from the boiler room to the swimming pool.