[1] The engineer Fritz Eckinger[2] and politician Stephan Gschwind founded Elektra Birseck Münchenstein in 1897 with the intention of introducing electric lighting and the idea of organising a company as a cooperative, which was a new concept at the time.

Since 1992, the company constructs, supports and participates in photovoltaic plants, to supply solar energy at a favourable price.

EBM’s investments helped to realise wind parks[9] and photovoltaic plants[10] in Italy and Spain with an installed output of around 64 Megawatt.

In addition to plants in the region, specific plans are in place to realise large projects in suitable foreign locations.

The electricity generated from renewable energies rose to 811,703 MWh (as of 31 December 2013) as a result of EBM increasing the number of its plants.

«Leading Swiss renewables AG» (LSR) is an investment company founded by EBM, «Energie Wasser Bern»[12] and «Aravis» in January 2012.

The company acquires and operates water, solar and wind power plants in Switzerland and certain European countries.

The cooperative members include legal entities and private persons owning property that is connected to EBM’s grid.