Firelands Electric Cooperative

What Firelands Electric Cooperative does

Firelands Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility cooperative incorporated in Ohio in 1936 and headquartered at 103 Industrial Drive, New London. The cooperative distributes electricity to more than 9,100 homes and businesses across rural areas of Ashland, Huron, Lorain, and Richland counties in Ohio, operating more than 993 miles of distribution lines with an exclusive service territory granted by the State of Ohio. Power is sourced primarily through Buckeye Power, Inc., the statewide generation and transmission cooperative that supplies electricity from the Cardinal Generating Station near Brilliant, Ohio, supplemented by community-owned solar arrays and member-distributed generation.

The cooperative's core operational technology is the Two-Way Automatic Communications System (TWACS), a power-line-carrier metering infrastructure in use since 1999 that transmits meter data, supports outage management, and provides real-time monitoring. Member-facing functionality is centralized in SmartHub, a web and mobile application offering account access, bill payment, outage reporting, energy usage history, and notifications. Supporting programs include the OurSolar Community Renewable Program (Phase 1 with 152 panels at New London and Phase 2 with 140 panels at Findlay), the PeakBuster load management device installed in nearly 4,300 member homes and businesses, net metering interconnections, and a suite of rebates extended through June 2027 covering appliances, EV chargers, smart thermostats, insulation, and geothermal heat pumps.

Firelands operates on a not-for-profit cost-based pricing model, charging members a monthly subscription for electricity consumed with rates reviewed annually. Revenue above operating costs is allocated back to members as capital credits rather than distributed as profit, with $1,000,000 in capital credits retired in 2025 and nearly $20 million returned since 1948. The cooperative is governed by a nine-member elected Board of Trustees under one-member-one-vote democratic control, and is sustained through community programs including Operation Round Up (84% member participation, $40,000+ per year distributed), scholarships, Youth Tour, and partnerships with Touchstone Energy, NRECA, and Ohio's Electric Cooperatives.

Name

Firelands Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Firelands Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Website

https://firelandsec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Firelands Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility cooperative distributing electricity to more than 9,100 homes and businesses across four rural Ohio counties (Ashland, Huron, Lorain, and Richland) through over 993 miles of distribution lines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Electric Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Electric & Other Services Combined (4931)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies) (EUADABAI), Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD), Demand Response & Load Flexibility Services (EUAMAJAF)

Keywords

• Electric utility services
• Rural electricity distribution
• Community solar programs
• Energy efficiency rebates
• Member-owned cooperative

Headquarters

HQ city

New London

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Service Revenue: Firelands Electric generates revenue through electricity sales to residential and commercial members. As a not-for-profit cooperative, revenue above operating costs is allocated back to members as capital credits rather than distributed as profits.
2. Capital Credits: Members contribute capital through electricity purchases. These capital credits represent ownership share and are used for system improvements until returned to members. In 2025, $1,000,000 in capital credits was retired to present and past members.
3. Service Connection Fees: Fees from new electric service applications, service changes, and various member forms and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Firelands Electric Cooperative distributes electricity to more than 9,100 residential and commercial members across rural Ashland, Huron, Lorain, and Richland counties in Ohio through 993+ miles of owned distribution lines. Its core offering is bundled with member-facing programs including SmartHub account management, OurSolar community solar subscription, PeakBuster load management, energy efficiency rebates, distributed generation/net metering, outage management, and capital credits allocation.

Product overview

Firelands Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility providing electric service to more than 9,100 homes and businesses across rural areas of Ashland, Huron, Lorain, and Richland counties in Ohio. The cooperative operates as a single unified service (electric distribution) supplemented by multiple member-facing platforms and programs. The core product is SmartHub, a web and mobile application providing account management, bill payment, outage reporting, and usage monitoring. Supporting products include the OurSolar community renewable program (Phases 1 and 2), distribution generation/net metering for member-owned renewable systems, load management programs (PeakBuster), capital credits allocation, various rebate programs (appliances, EV chargers, insulation, smart thermostats, geothermal), electrical safety training, and youth programs (Youth Tour, scholarships). The cooperative also operates advanced metering infrastructure (TWACS), an outage center with real-time mapping, and energy education tools. All programs are interconnected through the SmartHub platform as the primary member interface, with various add-on modules for energy efficiency, renewable participation, and community involvement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OurSolar Community Renewable Program: A community solar program that allows members to subscribe to purchase energy output from solar panels without installing equipment at their home.
• SmartHub
• Operation Round Up
• The A Team Academic Excellence
• Youth Tour Experience

Products and services

• Residential and Commercial Electric Distribution Service Core electric distribution service delivered through 993+ miles of owned distribution lines to more than 9,100 residential and commercial members across Ashland, Huron, Lorain, and Richland counties in Ohio, billed monthly at cost-based rates.
• SmartHub Account Management Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• Capital credits returned: $1,000,000 in 2025, nearly $20 Million since 1948
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Buckeye Power, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuckeye Power is Ohio's generation and transmission cooperative that provides electricity to Firelands Electric and 24 other Ohio-based cooperatives. Firelands receives electricity from Buckeye Power's Cardinal Generating Station near Brilliant, Ohio. Buckeye Power provides base load coal generation, natural gas peaking facilities, and renewable energy resources.
• Ohio's Electric CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide service organization providing economic development support, public relations, community outreach, energy efficiency programs, and publication of Ohio Cooperative Living magazine. Provides coordination during widespread outages and supports safety education.
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing Youth Tour program for high school students. Firelands sponsors students for all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. through NRECA's Youth Tour program.
• Touchstone EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational network of electric cooperatives providing resources and partnerships to better serve members. Firelands is a Touchstone Energy cooperative member.
• VacationLand Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Stuff the Bus program providing backpacks and school supplies to local students in grades K-8 across 14 school districts.
• TicketsAtWorkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate discount program providing Firelands members access to exclusive discounts on Cedar Point tickets, hotels, entertainment, theme parks, and events nationwide.
• Cedar PointminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTheme park partnership providing Firelands members access to discounted tickets and special deals through TicketsAtWork portal.
• Ronald McDonald House of AkronminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFirelands serves as regional pop tab collection site for Ronald McDonald House of Akron since 2009, having donated over 1.5 million tabs.
• USO OhiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Step Up for Soldiers drive collecting care package items for U.S. service members. Partnered with local radio stations WLKR-FM and K96-FM.
• Buckeye Power Cardinal Generating StationcoreOthersCoal-fired power plant located on Ohio River near Brilliant, Ohio. Incorporates state-of-the-art technology and is one of the cleanest coal-fired generating plants in the world. Primary source of electricity for Firelands Electric members.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Buckeye Power, Inc. Ohio's generation and transmission cooperative supplying wholesale electricity to 24 Ohio electric cooperatives including Firelands. Operates the Cardinal Generating Station (coal) and provides shared services, making it the natural upstream/broader incumbent counterpart to Firelands' distribution-only model.

Direct peers

• Darke Rural Electric Cooperative: Western Ohio rural electric distribution cooperative under the same statewide cooperative umbrella, serving a comparable agricultural and small-town membership with overlapping energy-efficiency and community programs.
• Paulding-Putnam Electric Cooperative: Northwest Ohio member-owned electric distribution cooperative with similar rural service territory, residential/commercial member mix, and infrastructure profile (distribution lines, substations, AMI). Comparable in scale and program offerings.
• Pioneer Electric Cooperative: Member-owned rural electric distribution cooperative serving members across Ohio, operating under the same Touchstone Energy brand and Buckeye Power supply framework as Firelands. Closely comparable in business model, scale, and member-facing programs.
• Logan County Electric Cooperative: Ohio-based rural electric distribution cooperative serving a similar mix of residential and small commercial members with grid services, rebates, and community programs. Directly comparable in scale, geography, and cooperative operating model to Firelands.
• Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative: Ohio-based rural electric distribution cooperative serving members in multiple counties with cost-based rates, AMI metering, demand-side programs, and community engagement. Direct analogue to Firelands' operating model.
• Consolidated Cooperative: Multi-county Ohio Touchstone Energy cooperative delivering electric distribution service to rural members. Closely analogous in member-owned structure, distribution-only operating model, community programs, and reliance on Buckeye Power generation.
• North Central Electric Cooperative: Ohio rural electric distribution cooperative with overlapping territory, member-owned structure, and reliance on Buckeye Power for generation supply. Highly comparable on size, customer mix, and program structure.

Others

• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives: National alliance and brand under which Firelands and other U.S. electric cooperatives market themselves, providing shared branding, marketing resources, and a national co-op network. Adjacent/ecosystem peer supporting Firelands' go-to-market rather than competing with it.
• Ohio's Electric Cooperatives: Statewide service organization providing economic development, public relations, energy-efficiency programming, and Ohio Cooperative Living magazine to all 24 Ohio electric cooperatives including Firelands. An enabling/association peer rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Firelands
• Facebookfacebook.com/FirelandsElectric
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/firelands-electric-cooperative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Firelands Electric Cooperative