LCEC

What LCEC does

LCEC (Lee County Electric Cooperative, Inc.) is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative founded in 1940 and headquartered in North Fort Myers, Florida. It distributes electricity to over 267,000 residential and commercial members across a six-county service territory in Southwest Florida (Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, and Monroe), operating 9,460 miles of energized line and 24 substations. LCEC does not generate power; it purchases wholesale electricity from Florida Power & Light under a supply arrangement dating to 1941 and delivers it through its owned distribution network. The cooperative operates on an at-cost model, returning excess revenue to members as Capital Credits retirements and is governed by an elected Board of Trustees; cumulative equity retirements exceed $350 million historically.

The cooperative's core technology stack is anchored on a Smart Grid infrastructure installed in 2004, which provides two-way communication between distribution assets and LCEC's information systems for predictive maintenance, outage detection, automated meter reading, and customer-facing daily usage data. The customer-facing layer is the SmartHub web and mobile platform, supporting bill payment, usage monitoring, outage reporting, paperless billing, and SMS outage texting, complemented by a real-time outage mapping system and infrared inspection of facilities. Add-on products and member programs include GenerLink (generator interconnection), surgeSENSE (meter-based surge protection), Net Metering for photovoltaic interconnections, outdoor security lighting, Capital Credits, the Power to Share bill-assistance program (in partnership with United Way), the Energy EmPOWERment youth safety-education curriculum, and the Co-op Connections national discount program (via Touchstone Energy membership since 2022).

LCEC generates revenue primarily from usage-based electricity distribution through tiered residential inverted-block rates (customer charge plus three-tiered kWh charges) and demand-based commercial tariffs, plus transactional pass-through fees on third-party card and walk-in payments. The go-to-market is direct-to-member within an exclusive franchise territory — there is no sales motion because members cannot choose an alternative distribution provider — and growth is driven entirely by Southwest Florida population expansion and per-member kWh consumption rather than market share capture. Operational leadership is headed by CEO Denise Vidal (appointed 2019), and recent strategic activity centers on infrastructure reinforcement (May 2026 West Cape Coral service center), product extension into distributed energy and resilience, and deepened community engagement.

Name

LCEC

Legal name

Lee County Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Website

https://lcec.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) is a not-for-profit member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving over 267,000 residential and commercial members across a six-county Southwest Florida territory, delivering FPL-sourced power through 9,460 miles of owned distribution line.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUADABAC

Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Electric Transmission & Distribution (T&D)/Distribution System Operators (DSOs) & Electric Distribution Utilities

SECONDARYEUADABAI

Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Electric Transmission & Distribution (T&D)/Distribution System Operators (DSOs) & Electric Distribution Utilities

Keywords

• Electric utility distribution
• Member-owned cooperative
• Smart grid infrastructure
• Renewable net metering
• Outage management systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Myers

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electricity Sales: Revenue from electricity distribution to over 267,000 residential and commercial customers across Southwest Florida. LCEC operates at cost, returning any excess revenue to members in the form of Equity (Capital Credits). The revenue is generated through tiered residential rates and demand-based commercial rates.
2. Fees and Charges: Various fees and charges including security deposits, late fees ($10 late charge applied on 6th day after due date), and other service-related charges to cover costs associated with generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity.
3. Third-Party Payment Processing: Third-party service fees for credit/debit card payments ($4.00 fee) and walk-in payment stations ($1.50 fee) are passed through to vendors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

LCEC distributes electricity to over 267,000 residential and commercial members across a six-county territory in Southwest Florida. As a not-for-profit cooperative, it purchases wholesale power from Florida Power & Light and delivers it through 24 substations and 9,460 miles of energized line. The cooperative supplements distribution with member-facing tools (SmartHub), value-added products (GenerLink, surgeSENSE, Security Lights), a Net Metering program for solar members, and member benefit programs such as Capital Credits equity retirement and Power to Share bill-assistance.

Product overview

LCEC operates as a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative offering a unified portfolio of electricity distribution services and customer-facing products. The core offering is reliable electricity delivery to over 267,000 customers across Southwest Florida, supported by the Smart Grid technology platform and SmartHub customer portal. Add-on products include GenerLink (generator interconnection), surgeSENSE (surge protection), Security Lights, and Net Metering for renewable energy customers. Member benefits programs include Capital Credits (equity retirements), Power to Share bill assistance, Energy EmPOWERment youth education, and Co-op Connections discount program. All services are delivered through LCEC's cooperative business model where members are owners and excess revenue is returned as equity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartHub: Online and mobile application for managing electric accounts, viewing payment history, paying bills, requesting payment extensions, receiving bill reminders, setting usage alerts, monitoring energy usage, reporting outages, and enrolling in paperless billing.
• Power to Share
• Energy EmPOWERment Program
• Co-Op Connections
• surgeSENSE
• GenerLink

Products and services

• SmartHub Customer-facing web portal and mobile application that enables members to start/stop/move service, pay bills, view payment history, request payment extensions, set usage alerts, monitor daily energy usage, report outages, and enroll in paperless billing. Includes two-factor authentication and outage texting via SMS.
• GenerLink Generator interconnection device installed at the electric meter that enables safe connection of portable generators to a home's wiring system without transfer switches or extension cords. Supports 20, 30, or 50-amp connections up to 9,600 watts maximum, intended for residential members needing backup power.
• surgeSENSE Meter-based surge protection program with two-stage Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor (TVSS) that protects major appliances from harmful transient voltage surges. Combines meter-base protection with optional plug-in suppression.
• Security and Street Lighting Outdoor security lighting, traffic signals, district street lighting, and decorative lighting purchased from LCEC and serviced for residential and commercial members across the service territory.
• Net Metering Program Program that interconnects member-owned renewable generation systems (RGS), including photovoltaic (PV) systems, with bidirectional metering. Excess energy is banked as unused reserves for future drawdown, with payouts at the avoided wholesale rate.

Quantifiable outcome

• Returned over $350 million in equity to members over the years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• GCM Contracting SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026Partnership with GCM Contracting Solutions to break ground on a new 12,000-square-foot, two-story service center in West Cape Coral, Florida. The facility is designed to enhance utility operations, service delivery, response times, and storm restoration capabilities across Southwest Florida. Project represents key infrastructure investment supporting Cape Coral's rapid population growth.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between LCEC and United Way for the Power to Share program, created in 2009 to provide emergency assistance for members experiencing temporary financial difficulties. Expanded in 2021 with Power to Share by Rounding Up Program. In 2025, raised $130,792.43 and helped 275 families. Also provides assistance referrals through United Way 211.
• Florida Power & LightcoreOthersFlorida Power & Light is LCEC's wholesale power supplier. LCEC does not generate power; electricity is purchased from Florida Power & Light and delivered through LCEC's distribution infrastructure. LCEC signed a contract with Florida Power & Light in 1941 to purchase power for members at wholesale rates.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of electric cooperatives that LCEC became a member of in 2022. Through this membership, LCEC offers Co-op Connections benefits providing local and national discounts, health savings, and support for local businesses to members.
• National Theatre for ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Energy EmPOWERment Program providing fun, interactive educational performances about electrical safety for students. LCEC sponsored and accompanied NTC in performing for nearly 9,000 students and 500+ teachers/administrators in 24/25 and 25/26 school years.
• Environmental Conservation OrganizationsminorOthersPartnerships with local environmental organizations including Ding Darling Society, Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), and others to preserve Southwest Florida's unique environment and wildlife. LCEC has been partnering with customers since 1993 to provide alternate habitats for osprey away from electric facilities.
• Florida Electric Cooperative Association (FECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry affiliation providing mutually beneficial relationships that help guide LCEC in the best interest of members.
• Association of Leaders in Development and Cooperation (ALDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry affiliation providing mutually beneficial relationships that help guide LCEC in the best interest of members.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Peace River Electric Cooperative: Central-Florida distribution electric cooperative serving Highlands, Hardee, DeSoto, and Polk counties. Comparable to LCEC as a Florida member-owned co-op delivering distribution service to a multi-county territory.
• Glades Electric Cooperative: Florida distribution electric cooperative headquartered in Moore Haven, serving members across several Southwest/Central Florida counties that overlap with parts of LCEC's service area. Direct peer on co-op business model, distribution-only operations, and regional exposure.
• Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC): Florida distribution electric cooperative serving a multi-county territory. Closest peer to LCEC in terms of business model (cooperative), geography (Florida), and product offering (distribution + member services).
• Central Florida Electric Cooperative: Florida distribution electric cooperative serving rural and suburban members across multiple counties. Same cooperative distribution model as LCEC, with overlapping Touchstone Energy / Co-op Connections program participation.
• Seminole Electric Cooperative: Florida-based wholesale generation-and-transmission electric cooperative serving LCEC and other Florida distribution co-ops. Highly comparable as a fellow Touchstone Energy-affiliated Florida cooperative operating in the same regulatory ecosystem.
• Clay Electric Cooperative: One of the largest distribution electric cooperatives in Florida and the U.S., serving north-central Florida. Directly comparable as a large Touchstone Energy member co-op with similar residential/commercial mix and member-benefit programs.

Broad incumbents

• Florida Power & Light (FPL / NextEra Energy): LCEC's wholesale power supplier and the largest investor-owned utility in Florida. A broader incumbent with overlapping service territory and the only meaningful counterparty on generation/supply for LCEC — comparable on geography and customer base, but very different in ownership and revenue model.
• Tampa Electric (TECO / Emera): Investor-owned integrated Florida utility serving the Tampa Bay region. Comparable as a regulated Florida electric utility serving residential and commercial customers, but with a generation-inclusive business model versus LCEC's wires-only cooperative structure.
• Duke Energy Florida: Major Florida investor-owned utility serving central and north Florida. Comparable in product category (electric service) and Florida regulatory environment, but operates an integrated T&D business model rather than wires-only cooperative.

Regional players

• Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative: Distribution electric cooperative serving north-central Florida. Comparable cooperative distribution model and member-benefit structure, but operates in a different Florida region rather than directly overlapping LCEC's Southwest Florida service territory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LCECSWFL
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/LeeCountyElectricCooperativeLCECswfl
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/LCEC/97803799625
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lcec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LCEC