Lincoln Electric System
Lincoln Electric System is a not-for-profit, customer-owned public power utility founded in 1966 that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to residential, commercial, industrial, and landlord customers across Lincoln, Nebraska and surrounding communities under a regulated geographic monopoly.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1966
- HeadquartersLincoln, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Lincoln Electric System does
Lincoln Electric System (LES) is a not-for-profit, customer-owned public power utility founded on February 1, 1966, that provides electricity generation, transmission, and distribution services to residential, commercial, industrial, and landlord/property manager customers across Lincoln, Nebraska and surrounding communities. LES operates a diversified generation portfolio comprising natural gas turbines (including the planned addition of two LM6000VELOX aeroderivative units at the Terry Bundy Generating Station, ~100 MW total, targeted for 2029 commercial operation), renewables (hydro, solar, wind, landfill gas), and coal, with renewables rising from 9% of retail sales in 2010 to 45% in 2023. The utility's core product is metered retail electricity, augmented by a suite of customer-facing programs including the LES Online Account portal, budget billing, paperless billing, alerts, LES Peak Rewards demand response, the Sustainable Energy Program (heat pumps, insulation), Virtual Net Metering, SunShares, Net Metering, Renewable Energy Certificates, and electric vehicle programs; the community solar facility at NW 75th and West Holdrege is Nebraska's first utility-scale solar installation (5 MW DC, 15,333 panels).
The business model is subscription/recurring retail electricity sales to a captive service-territory customer base — as a regulated public power utility, LES holds a geographic monopoly and passes all savings back to customers in the form of lower rates. The company supplements rate revenue with transaction-based REC sales, subscription-based virtual solar panels and SunShares donations, and outcome-based Sustainable Energy Program incentives delivered through participating contractor networks. Distribution occurs through LES-owned grid infrastructure (with 79% of outages served from underground lines), the myaccount.les.com self-service portal, phone, drop box, mail, and Walmart Bill Pay cash/debit locations. LES employs approximately 500 staff, achieved an 18.2-minute average outage time per customer in 2024 (86% below the U.S. five-year average of 123 minutes), and is governed by a locally appointed nine-member Administrative Board. The utility adopted a net-zero CO2 production goal for 2040, completed a June 2026 revenue and refunding bond sale, and adopted the "Powering LES Forward" strategic plan on August 15, 2025, while announcing permanent closure of its customer lobby effective July 31, 2026.
Lincoln Electric System firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lincoln Electric System
- Legal name
- Lincoln Electric System
- Website
- https://les.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1966
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Lincoln Electric System is a not-for-profit, customer-owned public power utility founded in 1966 that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to residential, commercial, industrial, and landlord customers across Lincoln, Nebraska and surrounding communities under a regulated geographic monopoly.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lincoln Electric System industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Power Utility
- NAICS
- Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies) (EUADABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC), Power Transformers, Reactors & Auxiliary Power Systems (EUADACAJ)
Keywords
Where Lincoln Electric System is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lincoln
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Lincoln Electric System business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Retail Electricity Sales: As a not-for-profit public power utility, LES generates revenue primarily through retail electricity sales to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. All revenue is passed directly to customers in the form of lower rates. Revenue distribution: 47% to operation and maintenance of the electric system, 29% to construction projects and debt payments, 20% to payroll and benefits, and 5% to payment in lieu of taxes to local governments.
- Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): LES sells Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) generated from its renewable resources (wind, hydro, solar, landfill gas) to customers who wish to claim their energy was sourced from 100% renewable sources. RECs are sold at $0.00206/kWh (2025 price) with a one-time $10 enrollment fee. LES matches each customer-purchased REC with a free REC from its federal hydropower allocation.
- Virtual Solar Panels (Virtual Net Metering): Customers purchase virtual solar panels (half or full panels) at LES's community solar facility through one-time fees ($225 half panel / $450 full panel) or 36 fixed monthly payments ($6.25/$12.90 per month). After 36 months, customers receive energy credits for the remaining program life through 2036.
- SunShares Community Solar Donation: Monthly donation program where customers contribute $1/month minimum ($3/month required) to support LES's community solar facility and promote renewable energy in the community.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Monthly | Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) — 2025 price |
| Subscription | Monthly | Virtual Net Metering — Half Panel |
| Subscription | Monthly | Virtual Net Metering — Full Panel |
| Subscription | Monthly | SunShares Community Solar Donation |
| Subscription | Annual | LES Peak Rewards — Demand Response Program |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Pay-as-you-go | Sustainable Energy Program — Heat Pump Water Heaters |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Pay-as-you-go | Sustainable Energy Program — Sealing and Insulation |
| Subscription | Monthly | Residential Service Rates — Level 1 Facilities (0-799 kWh/month) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Residential Service Rates — Level 2 Facilities (800-1,500 kWh/month) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | New Account Service Fee |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Walmart Bill Pay Service Fee |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels9 records
Lincoln Electric System product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lincoln Electric System is a not-for-profit, customer-owned public power utility that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Lincoln, Nebraska and surrounding communities. The utility operates a diversified generation portfolio (natural gas, renewables, coal) and complements core electricity supply with programs such as community solar, virtual net metering, renewable energy certificates, demand response (LES Peak Rewards), electric vehicle support, and energy-efficiency incentives through its Sustainable Energy Program.
Product overview
Lincoln Electric System is a public power utility providing a comprehensive suite of electricity services centered on its customer portal (LES Online Account System). The core offering includes residential and commercial electricity service with competitive rates (11th lowest overall in the nation). Customer-facing digital products include Online Account Management, Budget Billing, Paperless Billing, and Alerts & Notifications. Sustainability-focused offerings encompass Sustainable Energy Program (SEP) with incentives for heat pumps and insulation, Virtual Net Metering and SunShares for community solar participation, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), and Net Metering/Renewable Generation programs for customer-owned systems. Demand management is handled through LES Peak Rewards smart thermostat program. Additional services include Electric Vehicle programs, the EdITH mobile educational exhibit, and Outage Center with real-time outage mapping. The company is expanding generation capacity via a 100 MW contract with GE Vernova for the Terry Bundy plant (2029 commercial operation).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Residential customers save hundreds of dollars per year on electricity compared to most U.S. residents. LES ranks 4th lowest for residential all-in prices among 87 cities surveyed (2024 EIA data).
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Lincoln Electric System
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lincoln Electric System technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Lincoln Electric System partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- GE VernovacoreGE Vernova was awarded a contract by Lincoln Electric System to supply two LM6000VELOX aeroderivative gas turbine packages for the Terry Bundy Generating Station in Lincoln, Nebraska, adding roughly 100 megawatts of generation capacity. The upgrade, scheduled for commercial operation in 2029, extends a two-decade collaboration between the two companies and is designed to meet the region's growing electricity demand while enhancing grid reliability and operational flexibility.
- PA Consulting GroupcoreLES selected PA Consulting Group as its strategic planning consultant for the development of the 'Powering LES Forward' strategic plan. The consulting firm has vast experience with clients from eight industries, including energy and utilities. The engagement included kickoff meetings, initial assessments, workshops, interviews, board engagement sessions, and strategic recommendations culminating in plan adoption on August 15, 2025.
- The Career AcademyminorLES partnered with The Career Academy — a joint venture between Lincoln Public Schools and Southeast Community College — to build EdITH (Educational, Interactive Tiny House). The partnership enables students to learn theories in the classroom and immediately apply them hands-on, while LES focuses on its energy future. Represents a collaboration between industry and education to create state-of-the-art learning and career training opportunities.
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)minorNREL, an arm of the U.S. Department of Energy located in Golden, Colorado, teamed with LES along with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Engineering to analyze EV charging behavior data and study impacts on the local grid.
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) College of EngineeringminorUNL faculty and students in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department partnered with LES to access and leverage EV charging data for further analysis, providing educational and research opportunities alongside practical grid impact assessment.
- Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)minorLES partnered with EPRI in 2018 to learn more about prospects for future EV growth. This effort, comprising eight utilities across the country, surveyed customers to understand key barriers and drivers to plug-in vehicle adoption, culminating in 2019 with development of a model to forecast future EV adoption in LES's service area.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lincoln Electric System competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CPS Energy: Largest municipal utility in the U.S. serving San Antonio. Comparable customer-owned structure, diversified generation portfolio, and significant investment in energy-efficiency, solar, and demand-response programs.
- Austin Energy: Municipal utility serving Austin, TX. Larger scale but highly comparable as a publicly owned utility pursuing aggressive decarbonization, customer programs (green tariffs, demand response, EV programs), and competitive rate positioning.
- Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD): California public power utility with one of the most aggressive decarbonization portfolios in the U.S. Highly comparable in customer programs (solar, EVs, demand response, RECs), net-zero ambitions, and customer-owned governance.
- JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority): Community-owned municipal utility in Jacksonville, FL. Comparable structure, similar scale band, and similar customer-program portfolio including energy efficiency, solar, and demand response.
- Colorado Springs Utilities: Municipal multi-utility in Colorado Springs with electric, gas, water, and wastewater. Comparable customer-owned governance, generation portfolio diversification, and sustainability program stack.
Direct peers
- Omaha Public Power District: Nebraska's largest public power utility serving Omaha and surrounding communities. Closest direct peer: same state, same customer-owned public power structure, similar generation/transmission/distribution portfolio, and similar residential/commercial rate positioning.
- Nebraska Public Power District: Statewide Nebraska public power utility with retail and wholesale operations. Directly comparable business model (customer-owned public power), generation mix, and regulatory environment; LES's peer in IRP and resource planning discussions.
Regional players
- Heartland Consumers Power District: Small Nebraska-based public power entity serving rural cooperatives and municipalities. Relevant regional peer for understanding small-scale public power economics and wholesale relationships, though primarily a wholesale rather than retail operator.
- Lincoln Electric Cooperative: Electric cooperative serving rural areas adjacent to LES's service territory in Nebraska. Comparable member/customer-owned structure and renewable program offerings, but focused on rural distribution rather than municipal retail.
Others
- PA Consulting Group (LES strategic planning partner): Selected by LES in 2024 to develop the 'Powering LES Forward' strategic plan adopted August 2025. Included as an ecosystem/consulting counterpart rather than a direct utility peer — illustrative of the partner ecosystem around municipal utilities undergoing strategic transformation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lincoln Electric System social profiles
Digital presenceLincoln Electric System financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lincoln Electric System leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Lincoln Electric System funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lincoln Electric System M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lincoln Electric System
What does Lincoln Electric System do?
Lincoln Electric System is a not-for-profit, customer-owned public power utility that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Lincoln, Nebraska and surrounding communities. The utility operates a diversified generation portfolio (natural gas, renewables, coal) and complements core electricity supply with programs such as community solar, virtual net metering, renewable energy certificates, demand response (LES Peak Rewards), electric vehicle support, and energy-efficiency incentives through its Sustainable Energy Program.
Is Lincoln Electric System a public or private company?
Lincoln Electric System is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was Lincoln Electric System founded?
Lincoln Electric System was founded in 1966. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Lincoln Electric System based?
Lincoln Electric System is headquartered in Lincoln, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lincoln Electric System make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Retail Electricity Sales are the primary driver. The others are renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), virtual Solar Panels (Virtual Net Metering) and sunShares Community Solar Donation.
Who are Lincoln Electric System's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CPS Energy, Austin Energy, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority) and Colorado Springs Utilities. Direct peers are Omaha Public Power District and Nebraska Public Power District. Regional players are Heartland Consumers Power District and Lincoln Electric Cooperative. PA Consulting Group (LES strategic planning partner) is listed as an others.
Does Lincoln Electric System have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lincoln Electric System.
What industry is Lincoln Electric System in?
Lincoln Electric System's product category is Public Power Utility. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADABAI, Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies), with a secondary code of EUADABAC, Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities). Its NAICS code is 2211 and its SIC code is 4911.