Electric Companies in Michigan

Power Generation

Michigan is an industrialized state in the northern United States. The state's energy profile is inherited from industrial times. Most electricity is generated by coal and gas-fired power plants. Combined, coal and gas-fired power plants account for more than 62%. Nuclear power ranks third. Nuclear power accounts for 28% of the total power generation in the state. Michigan has the largest natural gas reserves in the country.

Transmission Grid

The Michigan electrical grid is part of Eastern Interconnection, the second-largest alternating-current electrical grid. The ReliabilityFirst (RF) was founded in 2006 to ensure the reliability of electricity supply in northeastern states, including Michigan. Electric utilities maintain high-voltage transmission lines and ensure the continuity of power. According to NERC, the most common cause of emergencies and broken power lines in Michigan is weather and thunderstorms.

Renewable Sources

The vast majority of Michigan's electricity is generated from traditional energy sources of coal and natural gas. All renewable energy sources account for only about 11 percent of all electricity generated. 60 percent of all renewable electricity is generated by wind farms. Michigan ranks in the top 15 states for wind power utilization. There are more than 30 wind farms operating in Michigan, the largest of which are Isabella Wind, Meridian, DTE/Invenergy Gratiot County Wind Project.

Electricity Rates

The cost of electricity for residents in Michigan is about 15% above the national average at about 19 ¢/kWh. Depending on the electricity provider and the amount of consumption, the cost of electricity ranges from 17.45 ¢/kWh to 20.44 ¢/kWh. The most affordable electricity is supplied by power companies in Michigan such as AEP and Alpena Power. The cost of electricity in Michigan for commercial customers ranges from 13.05 ¢/kWh to 14.76 ¢/kWh. For industrial customers, the cost is even lower, ranging from 9.45 ¢/kWh to 11.28 ¢/kWh.

Largest Cities

Detroit	Grand Rapids	Warren
Lansing

Michigan Electric Companies

Most of Michigan's electricity is generated by coal, natural gas, and nuclear power plants. Electric companies, namely investor owned utilities, own and operate the power plants. The electric company DTE Energy owns and operates the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station, and the electric company American Electric Power owns the Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant. DTE Energy also owns the largest coal-fired power plants and natural gas-fired power plants. Michigan is home to big power companies such as CMS Energy, Alpena Power.

Michigan's electric transmission system includes an extensive network of high-voltage transmission lines. Electric companies, mostly large electric utilities, are responsible for installing, maintaining and repairing the transmission lines. Companies in Michigan regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are American Electric Power Company, American Transmission Company, ITC Transmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company, Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, and Xcel Energy.

There are a dozen electric cooperatives successfully operating in Michigan. Electric cooperatives sell electricity to Michigan residents and commercial customers and maintain transmission lines. The largest electric cooperatives are Thumb Electric Cooperative, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative, and Midwest Energy & Communications. Michigan is a deregulated state; consumers can choose their electricity provider. The cost of electricity in Michigan is slightly higher than the average cost in the United States, but average electricity consumption is below the national average.

#	Company
1	All American Electric
2	Bayview Electric
3	Bazen Electric
4	Bryant Eelectrical Contractor
5	City Electric Supply
6	Crescent Electric Supply
7	DTE Energy
8	Detroit Speedy Electrician
9	Direct Energy Business
10	Dustmen Electric
11	Eco Electric
12	Electrical Power Products
13	Ideal Utility Services
14	Industrial Electric
15	Just Energy
16	Madison Electric Company
17	McChesney Electric
18	Mr. Electric
19	Murray Lighting and Electrical Supply
20	Public Lighting Authority
21	Solar Energy Detroit
22	Strain Electric
23	Streamline Electric
24	Vicinity Energy
25	White Tail Electrical
26	Williams Electric and Telecommunications
27	Wireworks Electric