Ense in Focus – February 2026

Ense looks to the future

What was important this month

• Establishment of a wind energy company: Ense is resolutely entering the renewable energy future with the creation of the "Ense Wind GmbH & Co. KG".
• 2026 budget approved: With a planned deficit of nearly 4 million euros and investments in sports facilities and IT.
• New structures in personnel management: 16 trainees are planned for 2026, with the staffing plan remaining stable.
• Financial relief from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia: Ense receives approximately 722,653 euros through the old debt relief law.

Wind energy: Ense takes initiative

The municipality of Ense has set a milestone in energy policy: With the establishment of the Ense Wind GmbH & Co. KG, the community will now directly invest in wind energy. The Ense-Werke GmbH assumes the role of general partner with a liability of 25,000 euros, while the Ense Erneuerbare Energien Verwaltung GmbH will manage the operations.

Dennis Schröder has been appointed as managing director, with Mats Blume and Mayor Rainer Busemann serving as representatives of the municipality in the shareholder meetings. This structure enables Ense to become more independent from energy costs in the long term and secure jobs in the renewable energy sector.

2026 Budget: Deficit planned, investments ahead

The 2026 budget of the municipality of Ense was approved with a planned deficit of 4,032,028 euros. The credit requirement amounts to 11,338,793 euros. Nevertheless, investments in several areas are planned: Renovations of sports facilities, IT expansions, and subsidies for sports clubs.

To keep the budget realistic, 150,000 euros from various budget items were reallocated to the product 010106 (Facility Management). A clear prioritization of funds is crucial to cushion unforeseen expenses.

Personnel policy and youth promotion

Ense remains stable in personnel policy: The 2026 staffing plan provides for a total of 109 positions, all of which are intended for employees under collective labor agreements. The current staffing level as of 30.06.2025 was 91.6 positions (Part A) and 17.7 positions (Part B).

Special attention is given to promoting young professionals: For 2026, 16 trainees are planned, showing that Ense is investing in qualified young talent for the long term.

Financial relief from the state

Another positive development is the financial relief from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia under the Old Debt Relief Act (Altschuldenentlastungsgesetz, ASEG NRW). Ense received debt relief in the amount of 722,653.89 euros. The liabilities were resolved through debt assumption and settlement via the passive exchange method, significantly easing the community's financial planning.

Overview of the decision-making process

The decisions in February 2026 followed a clear process: Preliminary discussions took place in the Main and Finance Committee on 03.02.2026, and the final approval occurred in the Municipal Council on 05.02.2026. The resolutions are subject to legal requirements such as § 113 GO NRW, § 107 GO NRW, and § 5 Abs. 2 NKF-CUIG NRW, ensuring legal certainty.

Outlook: Ense looks optimistically to the future

February 2026 was characterized by clear decisions and strategic steps toward sustainable energy, financial stability, and secure jobs. The establishment of the wind energy company, the budget planning, and personnel development show that Ense is ready to actively position itself for the future.

In March, the focus will shift to the implementation of these decisions – particularly the concrete planning of wind turbines and the execution of investment projects. With these steps, Ense is clearly showing: The municipality is on the path to achieving its goals in climate protection, economic development, and citizen services.

---