Manager's Message

Since our founding by local community members, Central Electric has been dedicated to building a brighter future for the people, businesses, and communities we serve. Our original mission was to bring electricity and new opportunities to our region, and today, that mission has expanded to include the pursuit of innovative energy solutions, community enrichment, and economic development initiatives that provide meaningful value to our members.

As we look toward the next decade and beyond, our commitment remains the same: to provide electricity that is reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible. Together with other electric cooperatives across the state, we’re working toward ambitious carbon reduction goals—targeting a 50% reduction from our 2005 carbon emission levels by 2030, with a goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Achieving this low-cost, low-carbon future will require us to keep our focus on making the electric grid more flexible, efficient, and resilient so it can support new energy technologies and meet the needs of our communities.

Advancements in technology are already enabling the creation of a “virtual power plant,” which coordinates thousands of resources across the grid—from solar power and battery storage to microgrids, smart thermostats, and electric vehicle charging stations. This sophisticated system helps balance supply and demand, potentially improving power reliability, lowering costs, and giving members greater control over their energy use. Electric cooperatives like ours are at the forefront of these initiatives, and strong partnerships with members like you ensure we can all benefit from the rapidly evolving energy landscape.

In addition to powering our communities, we’re also committed to empowering them. Concern for community is a fundamental cooperative principle, and our dedication to community support has only grown stronger. To help our communities thrive, we continue to invest in local schools through Bright Ideas grants and youth programs, support local nonprofits through Operation Round Up, and foster economic growth with zero-interest economic development loans. These and many other efforts allow us to make a positive impact in our members’ daily lives.

As a cooperative rooted in the communities we serve, we understand local needs firsthand and are driven to make a lasting difference, now and into the future. To learn more about the ways we are working to create a brighter future for all, visit CEMCPower.com.

Until next time,