Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative

What Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative does

Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative (FLEC) is a non-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility cooperative founded in 1940 and headquartered at 116 Tellico Port Road, Vonore, Tennessee. It serves approximately 35,000-36,000+ residential, commercial, and industrial consumers across Blount, Loudon, and Monroe Counties in East Tennessee through an exclusive regulated service territory. The cooperative operates more than 3,400 miles of distribution lines and 11 substations (including the Clover Hill substation under construction in Blount County), with the service area divided into eight voting districts that each elect a board director to three-year terms.

FLEC's core technology stack centers on Landis + Gyr Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for automated meter reading, outage detection, and remote connect/disconnect; an Outage Management System that resolves member locations by phone, account, or meter number; a real-time Web Outage Viewer; and native iOS and Android mobile applications that handle account management, bill payment, push notifications, and usage graphs. The cooperative supports member interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources (primarily solar) and participates in Tennessee Valley Authority programs including EnergyRight, heat pump financing, and load curtailment. It offers multiple payment channels including PrePay, bank draft, online portal, IVR, kiosks, and drop boxes.

FLEC generates revenue through monthly usage-based electricity distribution charges at 10-11 cents/kWh (significantly below the U.S. national average of 16.4 cents/kWh), one-time membership fees ($5), service connection fees ($10), construction-related fees, monthly security light rentals, and one-time sales of TESCO surge protection hardware ($300 plus tax, with free installation). Wholesale supply is sourced from the Tennessee Valley Authority under a long-standing partnership, with a recent 5.25% TVA rate adjustment effective October 1, 2024. The cooperative cites 99.96% power reliability, very little debt, a clean audit opinion with positive net equity, and over 1,220 years of cumulative employee experience.

Name

Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative

Website

https://flec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative is a non-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility serving approximately 36,000 residential, commercial, and industrial consumers across Blount, Loudon, and Monroe Counties in East Tennessee via 3,400+ miles of distribution lines and 11 substations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Services

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

DER Dispatch, Aggregation & Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Integration (EUADALAI)

Keywords

• Electric utility services
• Electricity distribution
• Cooperative utility services
• Rural electrification
• Power grid infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Vonore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electricity Distribution: Monthly electricity distribution service to approximately 35,000-36,000 residential, commercial, and industrial consumers in Blount, Loudon, and Monroe Counties. Revenue generated through monthly billing based on kWh consumption plus customer charges.
2. Membership Fees: One-time $5.00 membership fee required for all new members requesting electric service.
3. Service Fees: $10.00 service fee for new service connections, plus various construction-related fees including temp pole permits ($35.00+), underground service ($1,000+), and aid of construction charges.
4. Surge Protection Products: One-time sale of TESCO surge protectors at $300 + tax for meter base devices, with free installation by FLEC.
5. Security Lights: Monthly rental/service fee for security lighting services provided to members.
6. PrePay Billing Option: Prepaid electricity billing option allowing members to pay in smaller amounts more frequently, with daily usage and balance calculation.
7. Operation Round Up: Optional program where members' bills are rounded up to the next whole dollar, with the difference donated to charitable causes within the community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative is a non-profit, member-owned electric utility cooperative that distributes electricity to approximately 35,000–36,000+ residential, commercial, and industrial consumers across Blount, Loudon, and Monroe Counties in East Tennessee through 3,400+ miles of distribution lines and 11 substations. Revenue is generated through monthly usage-based electricity billing at 10–11 cents/kWh, supplemented by a $5 membership fee, new service connection fees, security light rentals, TESCO surge protector sales, and PrePay billing options.

Product overview

Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative (FLEC) operates as a non-profit member-owned electric utility providing electricity to portions of Blount, Loudon, and Monroe Counties in Tennessee. The cooperative serves approximately 32,000-35,000 consumers across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The product portfolio centers on core electricity distribution service with supplementary offerings including: a Customer Portal with Online Bill Pay and Quick Pay functionality for account management; a Mobile App for iOS and Android providing account access and push notifications; Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) using Landis + Gyr smart meters; PrePay billing as an alternative payment option; Operation Round Up charitable program; E-Billing; Bank Draft; Surge Protection (TESCO device); Distributed Energy Resources interconnection for solar systems; TVA EnergyRight energy efficiency programs; Vegetation Management including herbicide treatments; and New Service/New Construction for establishing electricity connections. The cooperative also provides a Web Outage Viewer for real-time outage mapping and supports youth education through its Youth Tour program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electricity Distribution Service Core non-profit member-owned electric distribution service providing electricity to approximately 35,000-36,000+ residential, commercial, and industrial consumers across Blount, Loudon, and Monroe Counties in East Tennessee, billed monthly based on kWh consumption at 10-11 cents/kWh.
• New Service and New Construction Service for establishing new electricity connections at residential and commercial properties, including overhead and underground service installation, with fees starting at $1,000+ for underground and additional aid-to-construction charges.
• Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Service Smart metering infrastructure offering automated meter reading, outage detection, remote connection/disconnection, improved metering accuracy, and potential for prepaid metering options for FLEC members.
• TESCO Surge Protection Meter base surge protection device offered to members for a one-time fee of $300 plus tax, with free installation by FLEC staff.
• Online Customer Portal with Online Bill Pay Online platform for FLEC members to manage their electric accounts, view and pay bills, review usage history, manage auto payments, set alerts, and access payment arrangements. Includes Quick Pay for payments without login.
• Mobile App Native iOS and Android mobile application enabling FLEC members to view account information, pay bills, review payment history, receive push notifications, and access usage graphs.
• Web Outage Viewer Real-time online map showing current power outages across the FLEC service territory, allowing members to check outage status and updates.
• PrePay Billing Prepaid electricity billing option allowing members to pay for electricity before use, with daily usage calculations and balance monitoring. Can help avoid large deposits and late fees.
• Vegetation Management Program Program for maintaining power line rights-of-way through tree pruning, cutting, and herbicide treatments to ensure reliable power delivery, covering approximately 643 miles of power line easements annually.
• Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Interconnection Program for member interconnection of solar and other distributed energy resources, including required interconnection agreements, testing procedures, and safety requirements for grid operation.
• TVA EnergyRight Programs Partnership with TVA offering home energy evaluations, heat pump financing, residential energy efficiency services, and contractor referrals for qualifying upgrades.
• Economic Development Services Services supporting business growth and economic development in the service area, including site location assistance, economic data, and connections to regional development organizations such as TVA Economic Development, USDA Rural Development, and East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA).
• Washington Youth Tour Program Annual Washington D.C. youth leadership program for high school juniors from FLEC's service area, awarding $500 scholarships to each of three winners who attend the trip free of charge.
• Security Lighting Service Monthly rental security lighting service provided to members for outdoor lighting needs.
• SMS Text Messaging Notification Service Text messaging service for member communications regarding planned power outages, elections, and major cooperative news, with members automatically opted-in. Messages sent from 423-216-8093.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.96% power reliability - lights kept on without interruptions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1940TVA is FLEC's power supplier, providing electricity generation since the cooperative's founding in 1940. TVA sets power rates (recent 5.25% adjustment in 2024) that FLEC passes through to members. FLEC participates in TVA programs including EnergyRight, load curtailment requests, and emergency procedures. TVA Board member Jeffrey Hagood visited FLEC in June 2026 to strengthen the relationship.
• Alcan ManagementminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor performing herbicide treatments on approximately 643 miles of existing power line easements and rights-of-way annually. Crews marked 'Contractor for FLEC' use backpack application methods to control woody vegetation under power lines.
• Landis + GyrcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) metering system. FLEC deployed Landis + Gyr's newer metering technology offering automation of meter reading, outage detection, remote connection/disconnection, and improved accuracy over previous system.
• 4-H / University of Tennessee / TVA / Tennessee Valley RoboticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for annual 4-H Electric Camp held at UT Knoxville campus. Students learn about energy, science, engineering through STEM learning centers including robotics, wiring, drones, and electric grid design. FLEC sponsors participants from its service area.
• Tennessee Electric Cooperative AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide association organizing Youth Leadership Summit for high school juniors from cooperatives across Tennessee. FLEC sends delegates who learn about state government, networking, leadership, and electric cooperatives.
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing board training and certification programs including Credentialed Cooperative Distinction (CCD), Board Leadership Certification (BLC), and Director Gold credentials. FLEC board members pursue these certifications.
• Tennessee Valley Authority Economic DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTVA ED provides resources for economic development including site selection information, available industrial sites, and business recruitment support for communities in the Tennessee Valley.
• USDA Rural DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing rural development resources and support for communities served by electric cooperatives, originally instrumental in founding rural electric co-ops through loan programs.
• East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization supporting growth in the East Tennessee region including FLEC's service territory.
• Volunteer Federal Savings BankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal bank in Madisonville (423-442-4545) offering competitive financing rates for home improvements like heat pump installations as part of TVA EnergyRight heat pump financing program.
• Alcan ManagementminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor performing herbicide treatments on approximately 632 miles of existing power line easements and rights-of-way in 2025, working in Madisonville, Tellico Plains, Vonore, Greenback, and Friendsville areas.
• Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office / Department of Commerce and InsurancecoreOthersState agency handling electrical permits, inspections, and licensing. FLEC coordinates with them for new construction inspections, rough-in inspections for underground services, and state electrical code compliance.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative: Electric cooperative headquartered in Dunlap, Tennessee, serving members across the Sequatchie Valley. Closely comparable to FLEC on cooperative governance, rural multi-county service territory, AMI deployment, and community-program orientation.
• Lenoir City Utilities Board: Municipal utility serving Loudon County, Tennessee, directly overlapping FLEC's service territory. Provides electricity (and water/sewer) to a comparable residential/commercial/industrial customer base in the same East Tennessee region, making it the closest direct peer despite differing ownership structure.
• Caney Fork Electric Cooperative: Tennessee electric cooperative serving Warren, White, DeKalb, and surrounding counties. Operates the same member-owned, distribution-only, TVA-served rural electric cooperative model as FLEC with comparable scale and member programs.
• Plateau Electric Cooperative: Tennessee electric cooperative serving customers across the Upper Cumberland region following a recent merger with Volunteer Energy Cooperative. Operates a similar rural distribution model with comparable member counts, AMI programs, and TVA wholesale sourcing.
• Volunteer Energy Cooperative (historical): Former Tennessee electric cooperative that recently merged with Plateau Electric Cooperative. Historically directly comparable to FLEC on cooperative ownership, rural East/Middle Tennessee service territory, and TVA wholesale power sourcing.
• Duck River Electric Membership Corporation: Tennessee electric cooperative serving members across a multi-county rural territory in southern middle Tennessee. Closely comparable to FLEC on cooperative ownership, scale of membership, AMI deployment, and reliance on TVA wholesale power.
• Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation: One of the largest electric cooperatives in the U.S., serving four counties south of Nashville. Shares the exact same member-owned distribution cooperative business model, TVA-style power supply dynamics, and AMI-driven member services orientation as FLEC.

Broad incumbents

• Pedernales Electric Cooperative: One of the largest electric cooperatives in the United States, serving a vast multi-county territory in the Texas Hill Country. Comparable to FLEC on cooperative ownership and distribution-only model, but operates at meaningfully greater scale and complexity.
• Knoxville Utilities Board: Large municipal utility serving Knoxville and Knox County with electricity, water, gas, and wastewater. Adjacent to FLEC's footprint and a TVA power customer; substantially larger scale but operates the same distribution-only business model serving East Tennessee residential and commercial customers.

Regional players

• Athens Utility Board: Municipal utility serving Athens and McMinn County in East Tennessee with electricity, water, and broadband. Operates in an immediately adjacent geography with a similar small-town, TVA-served distribution profile to FLEC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fortloudounec
• Facebookfacebook.com/fortloudounelectriccooperative

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 Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative