CVEA

What CVEA does

Copper Valley Electric Association (CVEA) is a member-owned electric cooperative organized in May 1955 under the U.S. Rural Electrification Administration, generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity across approximately 540 miles of line in the Valdez and Copper Basin districts of Alaska. Its generation mix is anchored by the Solomon Gulch Hydroelectric Project (primary source since 1982) and the Allison Creek Hydroelectric Plant (operational since 2016), supplemented by diesel generation and a 5 MW PetroStar cogeneration plant built in 2000. Member-facing services include the SmartHub online portal, net metering for distributed generation, prepaid metering, multiple billing options (Levelized, Budget, Prepaid), and a Community Foundation funded by capital credits.

The cooperative's commercial model is direct distribution to members who are simultaneously the cooperative's owners: residential and commercial members elect the board of directors annually, share in capital credits, and receive service through self-service (SmartHub, phone), in-person offices in Glennallen and Valdez, and physical infrastructure. Pricing follows a five-year rate increase plan (currently in year four) with rates varying between hydro and diesel generation periods and across summer and winter seasons; specific rate tiers are not publicly disclosed.

Strategically, CVEA is navigating two high-stakes items: the FERC relicensing of Solomon Gulch (current 50-year license expires May 31, 2028) and operationalization of the CVEA/Alyeska Intertie, which successfully exchanged power with all three Alyeska turbines in 2026 and is expected to deliver fuel savings to members. The cooperative has explicitly tabled its micro-modular nuclear reactor exploration, signaling that new large-scale generation initiatives are not currently in scope. Leadership advocacy through the Alaska Power Association and NRECA, including Washington D.C. engagement in 2025, reflects sustained political activity on behalf of cooperative and member interests.

Name

CVEA

Legal name

Copper Valley Electric Association

Website

https://cvea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Copper Valley Electric Association (CVEA) is a member-owned electric cooperative founded in 1955, generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity across 540 miles of line to thousands of residential and commercial members in Valdez and the Copper Basin districts of Alaska.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111), Electric Power Generation (22111), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Electric utility services
• Electric cooperative
• Hydroelectric power generation
• Rural electricity distribution
• Member-owned utility

Headquarters

HQ city

Glennallen

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electricity Sales and Distribution: CVEA generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to thousands of members in Valdez and the Copper Basin. Revenue comes from electricity rates charged to residential and commercial members. The cooperative has a five-year rate increase plan currently in year four, with rates to be levelized between both districts upon completion.
2. Co-op Membership: Local consumers are also owners of the cooperative, meaning they elect board members annually and share in governance and benefits. Capital credits are returned to members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CVEA is a member-owned electric cooperative that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to residential and commercial members across the Valdez and Copper Basin districts of rural Alaska. Power is generated primarily through the Solomon Gulch and Allison Creek hydroelectric projects, supplemented by diesel generation and a 5 MW PetroStar cogeneration plant. The cooperative also offers member services including SmartHub online account management, net metering for distributed generation, prepaid metering, capital credits, and community foundation programs.

Product overview

CVEA operates as a member-owned electric cooperative providing comprehensive power services. The core offering is electricity generation, transmission, and distribution spanning 540 miles across Valdez and Copper Basin, Alaska. Power is generated primarily through hydroelectric sources (Solomon Gulch and Allison Creek plants), supplemented by diesel generation and a PetroStar cogeneration plant. Member-facing services include SmartHub online portal for billing and account management, net metering programs for distributed generation interconnection, and prepaid metering options. The cooperative also maintains a Community Foundation for member-supported charitable initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electric Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution Services Core electric utility service delivering power across 540 miles of line in Valdez and Copper Basin districts, sourced from hydroelectric, diesel, and cogeneration generation. Available to residential and commercial members who are also owners of the cooperative.
• SmartHub Member Portal

Quantifiable outcome

• Fuel savings to be passed on to members when CVEA/Alyeska Intertie becomes operational
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered moderate and core.

• Alaska Congressional DelegationmoderateOthers · 1 June 2025CEO Matthews met with Alaska's federal representatives including Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Representative Nick Begich during Washington D.C. visits to advocate for CVEA member interests.
• PetroStarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVEA partnered with PetroStar to build a five-megawatt cogeneration plant in 2000. This partnership diversified CVEA's power generation capacity and continues to serve as an important generation asset for the cooperative.
• AlyeskacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVEA/Alyeska Intertie project connecting the two electrical systems. Earlier in 2026, CVEA successfully exchanged power with all three of Alyeska's turbines. When operational, this project will provide fuel savings to be passed on to CVEA members.
• Alaska Power AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level industry association through which CVEA participates in legislative advocacy. CEO Matthews and staff regularly attend APA legislative conferences in Juneau and Washington D.C. to advocate for cooperative and member interests.
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association representing electric cooperatives. CVEA participates in NRECA activities and CEO Matthews was featured on NRECA's podcast 'Along Those Lines' discussing small modular reactors.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Golden Valley Electric Association: Member-owned electric cooperative headquartered in Fairbanks, Alaska. Comparable to CVEA in scale, cooperative model, and reliance on a mix of hydro and thermal generation across Interior Alaska.
• Matanuska Electric Association: Member-owned electric cooperative serving the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska. Directly comparable to CVEA as a rural Alaska member-owned cooperative with similar governance, billing, and generation mix.
• Alaska Village Electric Cooperative: Statewide cooperative serving dozens of remote Alaska communities, predominantly diesel-powered. Comparable to CVEA's rural Alaska operating context and member-owned governance.
• Homer Electric Association: Member-owned electric cooperative serving the Kenai Peninsula. Comparable to CVEA as a smaller Alaska cooperative with a similar mix of diesel and hydro generation serving rural communities.
• Saint Paul Island Electric Cooperative: Tiny member-owned electric cooperative on Saint Paul Island. Comparable to CVEA in scale, isolated-grid operation, and dependence on diesel generation in remote Alaska.
• Inside Passage Electric Cooperative: Member-owned electric cooperative serving Southeast Alaska communities. Comparable as a small Alaska cooperative with remote, distributed service territory and similar regulatory environment.
• Kodiak Electric Cooperative: Member-owned cooperative on Kodiak Island running an isolated grid with significant hydro and diesel generation. Directly comparable to CVEA in operating an islanded/remote grid with hybrid thermal-renewable supply.
• Chugach Electric Association: Alaska's largest member-owned electric cooperative, serving Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. Closely comparable cooperative governance model with overlapping hydro and thermal generation.

Others

• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA): National trade association for the U.S. electric cooperative network. Comparable to CVEA as the umbrella organization through which CVEA accesses federal advocacy, training, and shared services.

Broad incumbents

• Alaska Energy Authority: State-owned corporation that finances and supports rural Alaska energy infrastructure. Comparable to CVEA as a stakeholder in rural Alaska power generation and as a counterparty in statewide energy policy and funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Copper-Valley-Electric-Association-157279357645493

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 CVEA