Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative

What Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative does

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative that distributes electricity to approximately 8,000-8,280 meters across four rural counties in central Wisconsin (Waupaca, Portage, Shawano, and Marathon). Founded in 1937 as Waupaca Electric Cooperative and renamed in 1948 after merging with Marathon-Portage Electric Cooperative, CWEC acquired Tigerton Electric Company in 1971 and currently operates from a 48,000-square-foot headquarters built in 2010-2011 outside Rosholt. The cooperative owns 1,443-1,464 miles of overhead and underground distribution lines, purchasing wholesale electricity from Alliant Energy and delivering it to residential, agricultural, small/medium commercial, and limited industrial members.

CWEC's product portfolio centers on regulated electric distribution, with a member-facing digital layer built around the SmartHub online portal and mobile app. Operational technology includes an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meter system piloted from December 2022 and being deployed territory-wide by Allegiant Utility Services; a load management program that remotely cycles central air conditioning, electric heat, heat pumps, and irrigation equipment during peak demand in exchange for monthly bill credits; an outage management system with text-notification alerts; a distributed generation/solar interconnection program; a GenerLink meter-mounted transfer switch offering; and complimentary plus regional CHARGE EV Level 2/3 charging infrastructure. Adjacent member programs include Energy Conservation Rewards rebates, free or paid home energy audits, the dairy farm rewiring loan/grant program (in partnership with WECA), a USDA-backed Revolving Loan Fund for local businesses, Operation Round Up charitable giving, and STEAM grants for schools.

The cooperative's revenue model is rate-based and usage-based: members pay fixed monthly basic charges plus kilowatt-hour consumption charges, demand charges where applicable, and power cost adjustments, with multiple rate classes (Residential, Heating, Time-of-Use, Irrigation, Small/Medium/Large General Service, Industrial, Outdoor Lighting, Distributed Generation). As a not-for-profit cooperative, CWEC allocates any annual margins back to members as capital credits — approximately $300,000 was retired from 2019 allocations and prior — rather than distributing profits. Distribution is exclusively direct through owned infrastructure; there are no resellers, and the service territory is geographically fixed by regulatory franchise.

Name

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative

Website

https://cwecoop.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution utility serving approximately 8,000 residential, agricultural, and commercial members across four rural Wisconsin counties, distributing electricity purchased from Alliant Energy through 1,443 miles of owned power lines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies) (EUADABAI)

Keywords

• Electric distribution services
• Rural electric cooperative
• Energy efficiency rebates
• Load management programs
• Cooperative utility services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rosholt

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Electric Distribution Service: CWEC purchases electricity from Alliant Energy and distributes it to members through its own infrastructure. Revenue comes from residential, commercial, and industrial electricity distribution services, billed based on kilowatt-hours consumed plus fixed charges and demand charges where applicable. The cooperative is not-for-profit, with margins allocated to members as capital credits.
2. Rate-Based Services: Multiple rate schedules including Residential Rate A (ASC), Heating Rates (H1, HT, H3), Time-of-Use rates (T, TS, TNS, TFS), Irrigation rates (L, M, N), Small/Medium/Large General Service (O, P, S), Industrial Service (I), Outdoor Lighting (SL), and Distributed Generation rates (DGA, DGASC, DGCOM).
3. Monthly Service Charges: Basic Charge - a fixed daily charge every member pays to cover basic costs of bringing electricity to their location. Plus Power Supply charges, Distribution charges, Power Cost Adjustments, and Public Benefit Tax.
4. Capital Credits: Not-for-profit margins are allocated to members as capital credits based on electricity purchased during the year. Board authorizes retirement of capital credits when finances permit, returning value to members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) purchases electricity wholesale from Alliant Energy and distributes it across approximately 1,464 miles of line to roughly 8,280 meters serving members in Waupaca, Portage, Shawano, and Marathon counties in central Wisconsin. As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative operating since 1937, it serves residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural members through tiered rate schedules, and returns margins to members as capital credits.

Product overview

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative is an electric utility cooperative providing electricity distribution to residential, commercial, and agricultural members in Central Wisconsin. The cooperative offers a portfolio of products including electric distribution service, smart meter infrastructure (AMI), the SmartHub online member portal for account management and bill payment, load management programs, energy conservation and efficiency programs with rebates, EV charging infrastructure (including complimentary public charging and participation in the regional CHARGE EV network), outage management and notification services, and member assistance programs such as Operation Round Up charitable donations, STEAM grants for education, and scholarship opportunities. The cooperative's core product is electricity distribution, with SmartHub serving as the primary digital interface for members to manage accounts and access services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CHARGE EV: Regional electric vehicle charging network created by 29 electric co-ops across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota.
• Operation Round Up
• Touchstone Energy Cooperative

Products and services

• Electric Distribution Service Wholesale electricity purchased from Alliant Energy and distributed across approximately 1,464 miles of line to roughly 8,280 meters serving residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural members in four central Wisconsin counties.
• SmartHub Member Portal Online member self-service portal and mobile app allowing members to view bills, track usage, make payments, set up autopay, and manage account notifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members can save 30% in operating costs through electric heat and heat pump load management programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CHARGE EV LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCWEC is one of 29 electric cooperatives that joined together to create CHARGE EV LLC, a regional electric vehicle charging network across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. The network includes more than 30 Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations. Mike Wade, President & CEO, stated the co-op wants to ensure drivers have adequate charging locations and alleviate 'range anxiety' for EV adoption in rural communities.
• Dairyland Power CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDairyland Power Cooperative (La Crosse, Wisconsin) manages innovation and efficient electrification initiatives for the CHARGE EV network, with Manager Jeff Springer quoted as stating the goal is to provide EV owners 'peace of mind driving from Iowa to northern Wisconsin.'
• 28 Other Wisconsin Electric CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperatives including Adams-Columbia, Allamakee-Clayton, Barron, Bayfield, Chippewa Valley, Clark, Dunn, East Central Energy, Eau Claire Energy, Freeborn-Mower, Heartland Power, Jackson Electric, Jo-Carroll Energy, Jump River, MiEnergy, Oakdale, Oconto Electric, People's Energy, Pierce Pepin, Polk-Burnett, Price Electric, Richland Electric, Riverland Electric, Rock Energy, Scenic Rivers, St. Croix, Taylor, Vernon, and Washington Island Electric Cooperatives participate in the CHARGE EV network.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational branding program for electric cooperatives. CWEC displays Touchstone Energy branding and logo. The program provides marketing support, national visibility, and cooperative-to-cooperative collaboration.
• America's Electric Cooperatives PACminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPolitical action committee allowing co-op members to support keeping rural electric cooperative voices heard in the political process. Links provided on CWEC website to WECA political action page.
• Cooperative Action NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational network for co-op members to advocate for cooperative principles and keep 'Co-op Nation' strong. CWEC website links to action.coop for member engagement.
• Wisconsin Energy Cooperative Association (WECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWECA partners with CWEC on Safety First! dairy farm rewiring program, offering grants of 30% or up to $10,000. WECA also facilitates Youth Leadership Conference and provides educational resources.
• Alliant EnergycoreOthersCWEC is a distribution cooperative that purchases electricity from Alliant Energy. Part of CWEC's wholesale bill includes a monthly peak demand charge assessed when Alliant's system hits peak usage. This is the source of power that CWEC distributes to its members.
• Diggers HotlinecoreOthersFree statewide one-call notification system for excavators to notify multiple underground facility owners before digging. CWEC is a member of Diggers Hotline to ensure underground infrastructure safety.
• State-Certified Energy AuditorminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCWEC partners with a state certified auditor to perform comprehensive home energy audits for members. Audits include infrared photos, heat loss identification, and energy saving recommendations.
• Allegiant Utility ServicesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThird-party contractor performing smart meter installations throughout CWEC territory, swapping old meters for new AMI-enabled meters. Workers knock on doors and leave door hangers when residents are not home.
• U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for TotsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partnership to collect toys for area children during Christmas. CWEC coordinates collection sites and donations for local distribution to over 1,100 children annually.
• Various Wisconsin State AgenciesminorOthersCWEC maintains emergency management contacts with Portage, Shawano, Waupaca, and Marathon County emergency management offices, as well as the Stockbridge Munsee Tribe, for coordination during outages and emergencies.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oakdale Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin-based electric distribution cooperative and CHARGE EV network participant. Similar size and member-owned model serving rural Wisconsin communities, making it directly comparable in operating profile to CWEC.
• Taylor Electric Cooperative: Rural Wisconsin electric distribution cooperative and fellow CHARGE EV network and Touchstone Energy member. Operates with similar member-owned cooperative structure, serving comparable small-member-count agricultural territory.
• Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin rural electric distribution cooperative participating in the same CHARGE EV network and Touchstone Energy alliance. Directly comparable structure, customer mix, and Wisconsin rural service territory.
• Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative: Wisconsin-based rural electric distribution cooperative and fellow Touchstone Energy/CHARGE EV network member. Comparable member-owned structure, agricultural member mix, and rural Wisconsin operating profile.
• Richland Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin electric distribution cooperative and CHARGE EV network peer. Similar member-owned rural distribution model, with comparable scale and member programs to CWEC.
• St. Croix Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin rural electric distribution cooperative, fellow CHARGE EV network participant, and Touchstone Energy affiliate. Same member-owned cooperative model and rural Wisconsin service territory as CWEC.
• Price Electric Cooperative: Small rural Wisconsin electric distribution cooperative that is a fellow member of the CHARGE EV network and Touchstone Energy affiliate. Comparable size, member-owned structure, and rural Wisconsin service territory make it one of the closest direct peers to CWEC.
• Jackson Electric Cooperative: Wisconsin rural electric distribution cooperative and CHARGE EV network participant. Operates with same cooperative structure, member programs, and rural Wisconsin service area characteristics as CWEC.

Broad incumbents

• Alliant Energy: Investor-owned utility and CWEC's sole wholesale electricity supplier via the transmission grid. Alliant operates the broader Wisconsin energy infrastructure from which CWEC purchases its power, making it the key counterparty and broad incumbent shaping CWEC's cost structure.
• Dairyland Power Cooperative: Generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative that supplies wholesale power to many Wisconsin distribution co-ops and manages the CHARGE EV network's innovation initiatives. While not a direct distribution peer, Dairyland sits upstream in CWEC's supply chain and is the broad incumbent that shapes the cooperative energy ecosystem in the region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/cwecoop
• Facebookfacebook.com/ElectricCooperative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-wisconsin-electric-cooperative-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative