Is Consumers Energy Co cheaper than Great Lakes Energy Coop?

Yes — in 2024 Consumers Energy Co customers averaged 19.11 cents/kWh versus 19.17 for Great Lakes Energy Coop (EIA-861). Consumers Energy Co was cheaper by 0.06 cents, about $7 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Great Lakes Energy Coop to Consumers Energy Co?

No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Michigan does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at michigan.gov/mpsc if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.

Why is Great Lakes Energy Coop more expensive than Consumers Energy Co?

EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Great Lakes Energy Coop and Consumers Energy territory all feed the 0.06-cent gap.

Consumers Energy Co vs Great Lakes Energy Coop: Which Is Cheaper? (Michigan, 2024)

Consumers Energy Co customers paid less: an average 19.11¢/kWh in 2024 versus 19.17¢/kWh at Great Lakes Energy Coop (EIA-861) — a gap of 0.06¢/kWh, worth about $7 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 26 MI counties (Allegan, Antrim, Barry, …). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address, though in Michigan both utilities' customers can shop the supply portion of the bill.

Side by side (MI, EIA-861)

Consumers Energy Co vs Great Lakes Energy Coop — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Consumers Energy Co	Great Lakes Energy Coop
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	19.11	19.17
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	18.82	17.71
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$2,064	$2,070
Residential customers (2024)	1,657,843	120,645
Ownership	Investor-owned	Co-op
Counties served in MI	60	26

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Consumers Energy Co · Great Lakes Energy Coop · Michigan overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Allegan · Antrim · Barry · Charlevoix · Cheboygan · Clare · Crawford · Emmet · Grand Traverse · Kalkaska · Kent · Lake · Manistee · Mason · Mecosta · Missaukee · Montcalm · Montmorency · Muskegon · Newaygo · Oceana · Osceola · Oscoda · Otsego · Ottawa · Wexford counties (MI, 2024).

Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.

Can you actually choose between them?

No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Consumers Energy Co and Great Lakes Energy Coop do not compete for the same meters. Michigan does have retail supply choice: customers of either utility may buy the supply portion from a licensed third-party supplier, or stay on the utility's default supply rate. An offer only saves money if it beats your utility's price to compare (printed on the bill); compare offers at michigan.gov/mpsc. The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Consumers Energy Co cheaper than Great Lakes Energy Coop?: Yes — in 2024 Consumers Energy Co customers averaged 19.11 cents/kWh versus 19.17 for Great Lakes Energy Coop (EIA-861). Consumers Energy Co was cheaper by 0.06 cents, about $7 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Great Lakes Energy Coop to Consumers Energy Co?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Michigan does allow supply choice: either utility's customers can shop the supply portion at michigan.gov/mpsc if an offer beats the utility's price to compare.
Why is Great Lakes Energy Coop more expensive than Consumers Energy Co?: EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Great Lakes Energy Coop and Consumers Energy territory all feed the 0.06-cent gap.

About these numbers. Rates shown are averages computed from federal regulatory filings (EIA Form 861) and public tariff databases — confirm with your utility before making decisions; your actual rate depends on your tariff, usage, and riders. Distribution utility is determined by address and generally cannot be chosen; in retail-choice states you may choose your supplier for the supply portion of the bill. Savings figures use 10,800 kWh/yr (US average residential usage) and are estimates, not quotes. EnergySavings is an independent data project by CertiHomes and is not affiliated with any utility, supplier, or government agency.