Power Supply

Columbus Utilities is a member of WPPI Energy, a Sun Prairie-based power company serving 51 customer-owned electric utilities. Together, WPPI Energy’s member utilities purchase all of their electric requirements from WPPI Energy and supply power to more than 192,000 customers in Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan.

The Founding of WPPI Energy

In the late 1970s, a group of Wisconsin communities served by local municipal electric utilities was facing a series of large, wholesale rate increases. These increases were imposed by investor-owned companies that supplied the local municipalities with electric power. Determined to gain control over their power costs, the communities joined forces in 1980 to form WPPI Energy, the state's first municipal electric company.

Strength in Numbers

WPPI Energy was formed to give member utilities like ours the benefits of power supply independence, increased bargaining power and economies of scale. Through this “joint action” effort, WPPI Energy helps its members in the acquisition of electric power and related resources needed to provide their customers with safe, reliable and economic electric power and energy. Through WPPI Energy, municipal utilities are able to acquire power supply expertise and negotiating strength they would lack individually.



A board of directors, comprised of one representative from each member-owner community, governs WPPI Energy. An 11-member executive committee of the board provides ongoing management oversight of WPPI Energy. WPPI Energy employs more than 85 employees who manage and operate WPPI Energy in accordance with the policies and decisions of the board of directors and executive committee.

Power Report

See the most recent Power Reports for highlights of important industry issues and examples of how public power benefits our member communities.

Power Report Spring 2017
Power Report Winter 2016
Power Report Fall 2016 
Power Report Summer 2015 



WPPI Energy Member Utilities:

Wisconsin

Michigan

Iowa