Illinois Municipal Electric Agency

What Illinois Municipal Electric Agency does

Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) is a nonprofit joint municipal electric power agency organized under the Illinois Joint Municipal Electric Power Act, serving 32 municipal electric systems across Illinois. Headquartered at 3400 Conifer Drive in Springfield with approximately 30 full-time employees, IMEA functions as a wholesale power supplier and cooperative service provider for its member communities. The agency operates a diversified generation portfolio, including 246 MW from Prairie State (15.17% ownership) and 153 MW from Trimble County (12.12% ownership), 70 MW from Lee/DeKalb Wind, 50 MW from Green River Wind, 9.6 MW of hydroelectric capacity (Rock Falls and Peru), 25 MW from Big River Solar, and 127.5 MW of renewables online by summer 2025, with another 150 MW from Bee Hollow Solar expected by late 2026 or early 2027. IMEA is also part of a consortium developing a 765-kV regional transmission backbone.

IMEA's core service offerings extend beyond wholesale power supply to include member-facing programs such as an Electric Efficiency Program ($1M per year in incentives), an EV Charging Program ($250K per year), Green Power Choices, Key Account Services, Economic Development, Legislative Advocacy, Mutual Aid, Demand Response, Cyber Security Assistance, and Safety and Training delivered through its affiliated IMUA. The agency participates in NERC and APPA and has received a Grid Resilience Grant for infrastructure hardening.

The business model is a cooperative cost-recovery structure: as a nonprofit joint agency, IMEA passes wholesale energy procurement costs through to its 32 member municipalities, with an FY25/26 budget of $354.3M and FY26/27 budget of $362.9M. Revenue stability is anchored by 29 of 32 member municipalities that have extended power supply contracts through 2055. Leadership transitioned to Doug Brown as President and CEO in April 2026. The agency is structurally insulated from competitive entry by its statutory charter and multi-decade member commitments.

Name

Illinois Municipal Electric Agency

Legal name

Illinois Municipal Electric Agency

Website

https://imea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IMEA is a nonprofit joint municipal electric power agency serving 32 Illinois municipal electric utilities with wholesale power supply, generation ownership, and member services, operating on a cooperative cost-recovery basis from Springfield, Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Power Supply Services: IMEA provides stable, reliable, environmentally-sensitive electric power supply at lowest cost to member municipalities. Revenue comes from electricity sales and power supply services to 32 municipal utility systems across Illinois.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

IMEA is a nonprofit public power agency that provides a stable, reliable, and environmentally-sensitive wholesale electric power supply at the lowest cost to 32 municipal electric systems across Illinois. The agency combines owned baseload generation, contracted wind and solar, and member-owned hydro resources to deliver electricity to member municipalities who then distribute power to their retail customers. Related services include energy efficiency rebates, EV charging incentives, demand response, NERC compliance assistance, and safety/training programs.

Product overview

Illinois Municipal Electric Agency operates as a nonprofit public power consortium with three core entities: IMEA provides electric power supply to 32 municipal communities; IMUA serves as the statewide trade association for municipal utilities; and IPEA supplies wholesale natural gas to member communities. The organization offers a portfolio of energy services including electric efficiency incentives, EV charging programs, renewable energy credits, demand response, cybersecurity assistance, and workforce training. Power resources include ownership stakes in coal-fired baseload generation (Prairie State and Trimble County), contracted wind farms (Lee/DeKalb and Green River), member-owned hydroelectric facilities (Rock Falls and Peru), and multiple solar installations across member communities totaling significant renewable capacity with a 150 MW project coming online in 2026-27.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wholesale Electric Power Supply Core wholesale electric power supply service delivered to 32 municipal electric systems across Illinois through a diversified portfolio of owned baseload generation, contracted wind and solar, and member-owned hydroelectric resources.
• Electric Efficiency Program Incentive program offering $1 million annually in rebates for businesses and public-sector facilities to install energy savings measures such as LED lighting, compressors, refrigeration, variable speed drives, and custom projects, with many municipalities offering residential rebate programs.
• Electricity Management Services Comprehensive operational and technical support services including 24/7 operations center monitoring, market and resource planning, information systems, engineering support, and legal/regulatory compliance services for member municipalities.
• Electric Vehicle Charging & EV Program A first-of-its-kind Illinois program offering $250,000 annually in incentives for member municipalities to own or lease qualified EVs and public charging stations and establish customer rebate programs.
• Green Power Choices Renewable energy credits (RECs) program allowing municipal retail customers and member municipalities to certify their electric use as Green Energy to meet environmental goals.
• Key Account Services Value-added services including rate surveys, rate comparisons, energy audits, and infrared scanning for distribution system facilities provided to member municipalities.
• Economic Development Services Specialized incentive rates for large-load, high load-factor commercial and industrial customers to help retain or attract high-value businesses to member communities.
• Demand Response Program Grid reliability program allowing qualified municipal facilities and commercial/industrial customers to receive billing credits by voluntarily reducing electricity usage during peak demand events.
• Cyber Security Assistance Annual cyber training free of charge plus NERC compliance program assisting registered members with North American Electric Reliability Corporation requirements.
• Mutual Aid Program Emergency coordination program helping member utilities restore power and provide emergency services during natural disasters such as floods and tornadoes.
• IMUA Safety & Training Program On-site safety programs and services including arc-flash protection, confined space entry, electrical safety, emergency planning, flagger certification, lockout/tagout, pole-top rescue, trenching, and First Aid/CPR/AED training for members.
• Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA) Trade Association Services Statewide trade association providing services, advocacy, and education to Illinois municipalities that own and operate public utility systems including electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, and wastewater.
• Illinois Public Energy Agency (IPEA) Wholesale Natural Gas Supply Wholesale natural gas management, administration, and marketing services to Illinois communities that own their own natural gas systems.
• Prairie State Generating Company Power Resource Coal-fired baseload generation resource with 15.17% IMEA ownership (246 MW) in a mine-mouth power plant with supercritical technology and modern environmental controls in Illinois.
• Trimble County Units 1 & 2 Power Resource Coal-fired baseload generation with 12.12% IMEA ownership (153 MW) located in Kentucky, including both subcritical and supercritical units with emissions control systems.
• Lee/DeKalb Wind Energy Center Power Resource Wind energy contract providing 70 MW from the 217 MW facility, IMEA's first long-term wind contract established in 2010.
• Green River Wind Farm Power Resource Wind energy contract providing 50 MW from the 194 MW facility located in Lee and Whiteside Counties in northwestern Illinois, contracted in 2019.
• Rock Falls Hydro Power Resource Run-of-river hydroelectric facility with 2 MW capacity built by the City of Rock Falls in 1988, powered by the Rock River.
• Peru Hydro Power Resource Hydroelectric power plant with 7.6 MW capacity operated by Peru on the Illinois River since 1996.
• Big River Solar Power Purchase Agreement Power purchase agreement providing 25 MW of solar energy generation that began June 1, 2025 as part of IMEA's renewable portfolio expansion.
• Legislative Advocacy Services Advocacy services monitoring state and federal legislative activity affecting municipal electric systems, protecting municipal rights, local control, and power resource value, in collaboration with the American Public Power Association.

Quantifiable outcome

• 127.5 MW of renewable capacity as of summer 2025, more than doubling with Bee Hollow Solar (150 MW) in late 2026/early 2027
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Prairie State Generating CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMEA holds 15.17% ownership interest in Prairie State Units 1&2 (246 MW total), a mine-mouth power plant with newest technology and environmental controls using supercritical technology to produce more energy with less CO2 emissions.
• Trimble CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMEA holds 12.12% ownership interest (153 MW) in Trimble County Units 1&2 located in Kentucky. TC1 is subcritical and TC2 is supercritical with emission control systems.
• AltorfercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPower purchase agreement partner for multiple solar projects including Rantoul Units 1&2, Marshall, Oglesby, Princeton, and St. Charles solar installations.
• Sol SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsidiaries of Sol Systems provide solar projects through power purchase agreements including Naperville, Rock Falls, and Altamont solar installations.
• Big River SolarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPower purchase agreement providing 25 MW of solar energy generation starting June 1.
• Bee Hollow SolarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUpcoming 150 MW solar project through power purchase agreement, expected completion late 2026/early 2027.
• Rock Falls HydrocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCity of Rock Falls operates 2 MW run-of-river hydroelectric facility powered by the Rock River providing carbon-free capacity.
• Peru HydrocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCity of Peru operates 7.6 MW hydroelectric power plant on the Illinois River providing carbon-free capacity.
• IMUA Associate MemberscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate members include BHMG Engineers, Altec Industries, Sunbelt Solomon, The Okonite Company, Altorfer Power Systems, Power Line Supply, and 40+ other companies providing products and services to municipal utilities.
• North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)coreTechnology or IntegrationSince 2007, NERC standards have been mandatory and enforceable. IMEA provides NERC Compliance program to assist members registered with NERC and monitors requirements.
• American Public Power AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIMUA works closely with APPA at the federal level on energy policy, transmission rates, tax policy, and local control issues.
• Lee/DeKalb Wind Energy CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSince 2010, IMEA contracted for 70 MW of the 217 MW Lee/DeKalb Wind Energy Center.
• Green River Wind FarmcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSince 2019, IMEA contracted for 50 MW of the 194 MW Green River Wind Farm located in Lee and Whiteside Counties in northwestern Illinois.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA): LCRA is a Texas public power provider with generation, transmission, and water services — a broader public-power incumbent with comparable diversified utility operations and member/customer services, though serving a different geography.
• Vistra Corp: Vistra is a major competitive power generator operating in Illinois with substantial coal, nuclear, and renewable assets — a broad incumbent whose coal exposure and Midwest presence make it directly relevant to IMEA's portfolio transition risks.
• Constellation Energy: Constellation is a large competitive nuclear and renewables operator with significant Illinois presence (including Clinton nuclear) — relevant as a broad incumbent counterpart whose fleet-mix decisions shape regional power markets that affect IMEA's procurement economics.
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): TVA is a large federally-owned public power utility providing generation, transmission, and energy services across the Southeast — a broad incumbent in public power with overlapping generation-and-services scope, but at much larger scale and federal rather than state/local governance.

Direct peers

• WPPI Energy: WPPI Energy is a joint action agency providing wholesale electricity and member services to municipal utilities in Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, and Minnesota — a direct peer in business model, member-utility customer base, and renewable portfolio strategy.
• American Municipal Power (AMP): AMP is a nonprofit joint action agency serving municipal electric systems across multiple states with owned generation, power purchase agreements, and member services — closely matching IMEA's wholesale power supply, advocacy, and resource portfolio structure.
• Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC): MMWEC is a nonprofit joint action agency providing wholesale power and services to Massachusetts municipal utilities — closely analogous to IMEA's wholesale power supply and member-services structure.
• Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA): MPPA is a joint municipal power agency serving Michigan municipalities with wholesale power and member services — directly comparable to IMEA's nonprofit joint-action agency model serving municipal electric systems.
• Missouri Public Utility Alliance / Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission: MPUA and MJMEUC provide joint-action wholesale power and municipal utility advocacy across Missouri, mirroring IMEA's nonprofit cooperative model and member-municipality focus.
• Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA): IMPA is a nonprofit joint action agency that generates, transmits, and purchases wholesale power for member municipalities in Indiana — directly comparable to IMEA's model, scale, and member-utility focus in Illinois.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Illinois Municipal Electric Agency