Mohave Electric Cooperative

What Mohave Electric Cooperative does

Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC) is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative founded in 1946 in Bullhead City, Arizona, serving 39,135 members across 46,326 meters and 1,583 miles of distribution line in a certificated service territory spanning Mohave, Yavapai, and Coconino counties. As a regulated public service corporation under the Arizona Corporation Commission, MEC delivers the lowest electric rates among all Arizona co-ops and investor-owned utilities, with member rates set on a cost-of-service basis (residential customer charge of $30.30/month following Rate Case 2025). Core operations include residential, commercial and industrial, irrigation, and multi-unit residential electric service, supplemented by net metering for solar customers and time-of-use rate options. Technology investments include a SmartHub mobile application, Outage Management System, UAV drone inspection program, two battery energy storage systems, and a fiber broadband network launched in 2020–2021 via partnership with TWN Communications.

MEC operates a direct-to-consumer distribution model, owning and operating its own distribution infrastructure and member service channels. Wholesale power is sourced exclusively from Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO) under a relationship dating to 1971; excess margins are returned to members through capital credits (first issued in 1964). The cooperative has invested in community programs (Washington Youth Tour, classroom grants, scholarship program up to $10,000) and the Co-op Connections discount program (over $2 million in member savings since 2011). Major recent capital initiatives include a 50MW BESS with Ameresco (2025), a planned Mohave Energy Park with AEPCO, and $28+ million in federal grants (USDA PACE, DOE Grid Resilience, BTA/BEAD broadband).

Revenue is derived from recurring monthly service charges and energy consumption across residential, commercial, industrial, solar/net metering, and time-of-use rate classes; broadband revenue accrues through TWN Communications partner economics. The cooperative maintains the lowest controllable operating costs ranking in Arizona (11 of 11 co-ops) and ranks 789 of 815 nationally, with operating expenses per consumer in the lowest 5% nationally. There are no venture, private equity, or parent company backers; ownership rests entirely with member-customers who elect a nine-member board of directors.

Name

Mohave Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Mohave Electric Cooperative, Incorporated

Website

https://mohaveelectric.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Mohave Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility founded in 1946, serving 39,135 members across Mohave, Yavapai, and Coconino counties in Arizona with the lowest electric rates in the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Distribution Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)

Keywords

• Electric distribution services
• Electric cooperative
• Residential power service
• Energy efficiency programs
• Fiber broadband internet

Headquarters

HQ city

Bullhead City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Residential Electric Service: MEC provides residential electric service to 39,135 members (2026). Revenue comes from a customer charge ($30.30 after rate case 2025) plus energy charges per kWh. The cooperative operates on a not-for-profit basis where rates cover the cost of service.
2. Commercial and Industrial Electric Service: Commercial, small commercial, and demand service rates for business customers. Energy rates and demand charges apply based on usage patterns and capacity requirements.
3. Solar/Net Metering Service: Net metering service for members with solar installations, with specific rate structures for solar customers.
4. Time of Use Service: Time-of-use rate options for members to manage electricity costs during peak and off-peak hours.
5. Capital Credits: As a not-for-profit cooperative, margins are returned to members as capital credits. Members have historically received capital credits checks, with first issued in 1964.
6. Broadband Internet Service (via TWN): MEC partners with TWN Communications to offer fiber internet services to members. MEC members receive bundled discounts on internet plans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Mohave Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility that provides reliable electricity to approximately 39,135 members across 46,326 meters and 1,583 miles of line in Mohave, Yavapai, and Coconino counties in Arizona. The cooperative also offers fiber broadband internet services through a partnership with TWN Communications, and provides renewable energy options, energy efficiency rebates, and member benefit programs including capital credits returns.

Product overview

Mohave Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit electric distribution utility offering a unified portfolio of services centered on electricity distribution. The core product is electric distribution service to over 39,000 members across Arizona. Supporting digital services include SmartHub (account management mobile/web app), energy solutions (rebates, renewable energy, weatherization), and broadband internet via TWN Communications partnership. Additional member benefits encompass capital credits, Co-op Connections discount program, scholarships, and community programs. The cooperative also operates infrastructure programs including UAV drone inspections and outage management systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartHub: Mobile application for members to manage their electric accounts, view bills, make payments, and report outages.

Products and services

• Electric Distribution Service Core electric utility service providing reliable, cost-effective power distribution to residential, commercial, and industrial members across Mohave County, Yavapai County, and Coconino County areas in Arizona. Includes residential, commercial, small commercial, demand service, irrigation, and multi-unit residential rate classes.
• Fiber Internet Service (via TWN Communications) High-speed fiber internet service offered through partnership with TWN Communications to MEC members. Speeds from 300 Mbps to 2 Gbps with member discounts up to $12 per month maximum.
• Residential Electric Service Standard residential electric service for member households, with a monthly customer charge plus tiered energy charges per kWh. Available to the 39,135 residential members.
• Commercial and Industrial Electric Service Commercial, small commercial, and demand service rates for business customers. Energy rates and demand charges apply based on usage patterns and capacity requirements.
• Time of Use Service Time-of-use rate options for members to manage electricity costs during peak and off-peak hours with varying charges.
• Solar/Net Metering Service Net metering service for members with solar installations, with specific rate structures for solar customers and community solar initiatives.
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Battery energy storage systems for grid resilience and energy security within the service territory. First BESS in Fort Mohave (2023), second BESS (2024), with Ameresco developing 50MW BESS asset.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lowest controllable operating costs ranking: 789 out of 815 co-ops nationally
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Navajo Tribal Utility AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MEC participated in Light Up Navajo project in 2025. NTUA representatives presented at MEC's 2025 annual meeting and presented plaques to MEC linemen for their contributions to the project.
• AmerescocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Ameresco is developing a 50MW battery energy storage asset to enhance energy resiliency and security for MEC's service territory. This is part of MEC's broader grid resilience strategy following the 2023 first BESS in Fort Mohave.
• TWN CommunicationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020MEC partnered with TWN Communications to offer fiber broadband internet services, becoming the first Arizona co-op to launch broadband in 2020. MEC members receive bundled discounts on internet plans ranging from 300 Mbps to 2 Gbps. MEC also awarded BTA and BEAD grants with TWN Communications in 2025.
• Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1971AEPCO is MEC's primary source of wholesale power and transmission services. MEC joined AEPCO in 1971 to meet growing demand. AEPCO is a not-for-profit electric generation and transmission cooperative, part of the Arizona G&T family of cooperatives. Provides reliable and cost-effective wholesale purchased power.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMEC is a member of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states providing resources and partnerships. Touchstone Energy provides the national brand identity and leverages partnerships to help member cooperatives better engage and serve members.
• Arizona Generation & Transmission Cooperatives (AzG&T)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAzG&T (also known as Arizona G&T Cooperatives) is a key partner for MEC, providing wholesale power coordination. CEO Patrick Ledger of AzG&T attends MEC annual meetings and provides presentations on cooperative activities.
• Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association (GCSECA)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGCSECA CEO Dave Lock participates in MEC annual meetings. GCSECA coordinates statewide cooperative initiatives and programs including Pathways to Power legislative summit.
• Western Governors University Arizona (WGU)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMEC partners with WGU to support bachelor's and master's degrees in education, business, IT, and healthcare with access to scholarship opportunities. WGU participates in MEC annual meetings and informational tables.
• Legacy Foundation Christine Stamper Center for Help and HopeminorOthersMEC provides financial support up to $30,000 annually for a veterans' wing of the facility, funded by assigned capital credits. MEC's Solar Initiative for the Community provided $75,000 solar resource funding for the facility.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Owen Electric Cooperative: Mid-size Touchstone Energy distribution cooperative serving northern Kentucky. Comparable in scale category, member-owned governance, and the rural distribution cooperative business model, providing benchmarking on operational efficiency metrics like KRTA cost rankings.
• Pedernales Electric Cooperative: One of the largest electric distribution cooperatives in the United States, serving central Texas. Comparable member-owned cooperative model with similar focus on lowest controllable expenses, capital credits returns, broadband expansion, and community engagement programs.
• Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative: Arizona-based electric distribution cooperative of similar scale serving rural and suburban members. Direct comparator as another Touchstone Energy member cooperative operating in Arizona with comparable member-owned cost-of-service economics and regulatory oversight from the Arizona Corporation Commission.
• TRICO Electric Cooperative: Another Arizona electric distribution cooperative serving members in Pinal, Pima, and Santa Cruz counties. Highly comparable in structure, scale category, regulatory framework (ACC oversight), and member-owned cooperative model serving rural Arizona communities.
• Duncan Valley Electric Cooperative: Small Arizona electric distribution cooperative that partnered with MEC on the December 2025 Arizona Grid Resilience Grant. Operates under the same Arizona Corporation Commission framework and member-owned cooperative model with comparable rural service territory dynamics.
• Graham County Electric Cooperative: Arizona electric distribution cooperative that, together with MEC and DVEC, jointly received the $4.73M Arizona Grid Resilience Grant. Direct peer under identical regulatory oversight and cooperative governance structure serving rural Arizona members.

Broad incumbents

• Arizona Public Service (APS): Investor-owned regulated electric utility serving much of Arizona and a direct comparator for rate benchmarking, since MEC explicitly competes on having the lowest rates in Arizona relative to APS. Operates in adjacent and overlapping service geographies, providing a regulated utility reference point for cost, reliability, and rate case dynamics.
• Salt River Project (SRP): Large Arizona electric utility serving the Phoenix metropolitan area. Comparable as a regulated Arizona electric provider used in rate comparisons and benchmarking MEC's cost position; provides perspective on a much larger, more diversified Arizona utility model.
• Arizona Electric Power Cooperative (AEPCO): MEC's primary wholesale power and transmission partner under the Arizona G&T cooperative family. While not a distribution peer, AEPCO is a directly comparable cooperative entity in MEC's value chain, jointly developing the Mohave Energy Park and providing generation/transmission services that determine MEC's cost of service.

Others

• TWN Communications: Fiber broadband partner of MEC providing the underlying infrastructure and service for the cooperative's broadband offering. Relevant as a strategic channel partner delivering the internet layer of MEC's bundled electric-plus-broadband value proposition to members.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MohaveElectric
• Facebookfacebook.com/mohaveelectriccoop

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Mohave Electric Cooperative