What Southwest Electric Cooperative does

Southwest Electric Cooperative (SWEC) is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative founded in 1939 and headquartered in Bolivar, Missouri. It distributes electricity to approximately 45,000 member services across eleven counties in southwest Missouri (Polk, Camden, Benton, Hickory, St. Clair, Dallas, Laclede, Greene, Webster, Cedar, and Dade) through roughly 5,400 miles of power line and a network of substations. SWEC sits at the bottom of a federally and cooperatively structured three-tier power system: electricity is generated by Associated Electric Cooperative (AECI), transmitted by KAMO Power and Sho-Me Power, and then distributed by SWEC to end members.

SWEC's product surface combines core distribution service with a value-added suite including prepaid billing, budget billing, net metering for solar (under Missouri's Easy Connection Act, up to 100 kW), LED outdoor lighting subscriptions, electric vehicle charging station rebates, and a comprehensive rebate portfolio (heat pumps, water heaters, foundation insulation, residential energy audits, commercial lighting). Members transact through four physical offices (Bolivar, Preston, Roach/J7, Bluegrass/Springfield), a self-service online portal, and an iOS/Android mobile app that handles bill payment, usage graphs, outage reporting, and alerts. An online Outage Management System map provides real-time outage visibility across the service territory. Vegetation management across ~5,400 miles of right-of-way is performed by contracted partners (Asplundh for mechanical clearing, Progressive Solutions for herbicide).

SWEC is governed by a nine-member elected Board of Directors (one director per district) and operates a cost-of-service model with revenue derived from an Availability Charge ($32.00/month, effective April 2026 — the first increase since 2024) and an Energy Charge ($0.105/kWh, effective April 2026), plus three-phase demand charges, connection fees, and ancillary service fees. As a cooperative, margins above operating costs are returned to members as capital credits rather than paid out as dividends. In June 2026, longtime CEO James Ashworth resigned to lead Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative, and the Board appointed Ted Zeugin as Interim CEO on June 29, 2026 while a permanent CEO search is conducted. Community engagement includes the Youth Tour (Washington D.C.) and CYCLE leadership programs.

Name

Southwest Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Southwest Electric Cooperative Inc

Website

https://swec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Southwest Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution utility serving approximately 45,000 services across eleven counties in southwest Missouri through roughly 5,400 miles of power line, with value-added services including net metering, EV rebates, and energy-efficiency programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bolivar

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Distribution Services: Southwest Electric Cooperative generates revenue primarily through electricity distribution services to approximately 45,000 member services across eleven counties. Revenue is derived from Availability Charges ($32.00/month effective April 2026) and Energy Charges ($0.105/kWh effective April 2026). As a not-for-profit cooperative, revenues exceeding operating costs are allocated back to members as capital credits rather than distributed as profits.
2. Prepaid Billing Services: Members may opt for prepaid electricity billing with a $1.40 daily charge plus $0.095/kWh energy rate, allowing flexible payment options without requiring security deposits or late fees.
3. LED Automatic Light Services: Installation and monthly service of LED dusk-to-dawn lighting for member properties. Standard installation with existing service: $20 setup plus $7.50/month. Stand-alone lights requiring transformers: $220 setup plus $10.50/month.
4. Connection and Service Fees: Fees for new service connections including $20 setup fee per meter, $20 connect fee (waived for transfers), security deposits based on credit checks, and $20 auto light installation fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Southwest Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative that distributes electricity to approximately 45,000 services across eleven counties in southwest Missouri. The cooperative receives wholesale power from Associated Electric Cooperative via transmission cooperatives KAMO Power and Sho-Me Power, then distributes it directly to residential, commercial, industrial, educational, and agricultural members through owned poles, wires, transformers, substations, and metering systems. Supporting services include prepaid and budget billing options, net metering for solar installations, LED outdoor lighting, EV charging support, energy efficiency rebates for heat pumps and insulation, and business lighting rebates.

Product overview

Southwest Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative offering a comprehensive suite of energy services. The core offering is electricity distribution to approximately 45,000 services across eleven counties in southwest Missouri. Supporting services include prepaid and budget billing options, net metering for solar installations, EV charging support, and LED outdoor lighting. The cooperative offers extensive energy efficiency programs including rebates for heat pumps (dual-fuel, mini-split, ground-source/geothermal), heat pump water heaters, foundation insulation, and residential energy audits. Members access services through an online portal and mobile app for iOS and Android, with real-time outage tracking via an outage map. Community engagement includes Youth Tour (Washington D.C. trip) and CYCLE leadership conference programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Electric Service Standard electricity distribution service for residential customers, providing power to approximately 45,000 services across eleven counties in southwest Missouri. Includes availability charge and per-kWh energy charge with capital credits allocations to members.
• Commercial and Industrial Electric Service Electric distribution service for commercial, industrial, educational, and agricultural members requiring three-phase power. Includes demand charges for usage above 20 kW and commercial energy efficiency solutions.
• Prepaid Billing Service Pay-for-electricity-in-advance service allowing members to control their budget with daily, weekly, or biweekly payment options at $1.40 daily charge plus $0.095/kWh energy rate. No security deposit or late fees required.
• Budget Billing Service Equal monthly payment option calculated based on a 12-month average of previous usage, recalculated each June to provide predictable monthly electric bills.
• Net Metering (Solar Power) Service Two-party net metering program for members installing renewable energy generators up to 100 kW capacity, compliant with Missouri's Easy Connection Act. Allows members to offset electricity usage with solar generation.
• LED Automatic Light Service Outdoor LED lighting fixtures with automatic dusk-to-dawn operation, replacing high-pressure sodium fixtures. Standard installation with existing service: $20 setup plus $7.50/month. Stand-alone lights requiring transformers: $220 setup plus $10.50/month. Includes energy used and all maintenance/replacement costs.
• Electric Vehicle Service Electric vehicle charging infrastructure support including Level 2 charging station rebates for members installing EV charging at their properties.
• Energy Efficiency Rebates and Audits Comprehensive rebate program for heat pumps (dual-fuel, mini-split, ground-source/geothermal), heat pump water heaters, foundation insulation, and residential energy audits. Rebates limited to 50% of total cost for energy efficiency upgrades.
• Business Lighting Rebate Program Rebate program for existing commercial, industrial, educational and agricultural members upgrading lighting to energy-efficient fixtures. Requires at least 10 lighting fixtures for eligibility. Coordinated with Take Control & Save cooperative-wide energy efficiency program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Affordable electricity rates with first rate increase since 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Associated Electric Cooperative (AECI)coreOthersAssociated Electric Cooperative is SWEC's primary power supplier, providing wholesale electricity generated from a balanced resource mix including coal, natural gas, wind, hydro, and energy efficiency programs. AECI serves over 910,000 electric cooperative services across Iowa, Missouri, and Oklahoma. SWEC receives electricity through transmission from AECI via regional transmission cooperatives.
• KAMO Power Electric CooperativecoreTechnology or IntegrationKAMO Power Electric Cooperative is one of two transmission cooperatives that receives electricity from Associated Electric Cooperative and transmits it to SWEC's substations. KAMO Power is based in Vinita, Oklahoma and operates as a regional transmission organization serving distribution cooperatives.
• Sho-Me Power Electric CooperativecoreTechnology or IntegrationSho-Me Power Electric Cooperative is one of two transmission cooperatives transmitting electricity from Associated Electric Cooperative to SWEC's system. Sho-Me Power is based in Marshfield, Missouri. The former SWEC CEO James Ashworth departed to become CEO of Sho-Me Power in June 2026.
• AsplundhminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAsplundh is the contractor engaged by SWEC for mechanical right-of-way clearing operations on power line corridors. Performs scheduled clearing work including mechanical clearing at substations (Pittsburg, Nemo, Macks Creek) to maintain approximately 5,400 miles of line.
• Progressive SolutionsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProgressive Solutions is the contractor engaged by SWEC for herbicide application as part of right-of-way maintenance. Performs scheduled chemical vegetation control at substations including Eudora, Slagle, Cliquot, Pleasant Hope, Fair Grove, Strafford, Woodhill, and Buffalo.
• Take Control & Save ProgramminorOthersTake Control & Save is a cooperative-wide energy efficiency program coordinated among Missouri electric cooperatives. SWEC participates by offering business lighting rebates and residential energy efficiency programs under this collective initiative.
• Ameren MissouriminorOthersMissouri's Electric Cooperatives partnered with Ameren Missouri to provide dock safety information and resources to members. SWEC participates in this collaborative safety initiative focused on preventing electrical hazards at docks near waterways.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Laclede Electric Cooperative: Distribution electric cooperative serving members in south-central Missouri. Like SWEC, it operates as a member-owned cooperative distributing electricity through the same three-tiered AECI/KAMO power supply system.
• White River Valley Electric Cooperative: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving southwest Missouri. Operates under the same cooperative regulatory structure and serves rural members in adjacent Missouri counties.
• Ozark Electric Cooperative: Member-owned distribution electric cooperative serving southwest Missouri. Operates the same business model (electric distribution to members in rural Missouri) under the same Missouri regulatory framework, making it the most direct operational peer.
• Cuivre River Electric Cooperative: Electric distribution cooperative serving east-central Missouri. While geographically distinct, it operates under the same cooperative model, member-owned structure, and regulatory framework as SWEC.
• Barry Electric Cooperative: Electric distribution cooperative serving southwest Missouri. Comparable size and member-owned business model, distributing electricity to rural and agricultural members under the same Missouri regulatory framework.
• Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative: Distribution electric cooperative serving south-central Missouri. Operates under the same cooperative model and regulatory environment as SWEC, providing electric distribution services to rural members.
• Intercounty Electric Cooperative: Member-owned distribution electric cooperative serving south-central Missouri. Operates under the same cooperative principles and distributes electricity through the three-tiered AECI-driven power supply system.

Others

• Associated Electric Cooperative (AECI): Generation and transmission cooperative serving SWEC as its wholesale power supplier. While not a peer in distribution, AECI is the upstream partner in SWEC's three-tiered cooperative model and is structurally adjacent.

Broad incumbents

• Empire District Electric Company (Liberty Utilities): Investor-owned electric utility serving southwest Missouri including areas overlapping SWEC's region. While a for-profit utility rather than a cooperative, it operates geographically proximate electric distribution infrastructure and competes for the same end customers.

Emerging players

• Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative: Transmission electric cooperative that transmits electricity to SWEC. While serving a different functional role (transmission vs. distribution), it operates within the same cooperative ecosystem and recently recruited SWEC's former CEO.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/southwestelectric
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southwest-electric-cooperative-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Southwest Electric Cooperative