Side by side (MI, EIA-861)
| Metric | DTE Electric Company | Great Lakes Energy Coop |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 20.13 | 19.17 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 19.70 | 17.71 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $2,174 | $2,070 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 2,067,758 | 120,645 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Co-op |
| Counties served in MI | 23 | 26 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: DTE Electric Company · Great Lakes Energy Coop · Michigan overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Montcalm county (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; DTE Electric Company 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 DTE Electric Company cheaper than Great Lakes Energy Coop?
- No — in 2024 DTE Electric Company customers averaged 20.13 cents/kWh versus 19.17 for Great Lakes Energy Coop (EIA-861). Great Lakes Energy Coop was cheaper by 0.96 cents, about $103 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from DTE Electric Company to Great Lakes Energy Coop?
- 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 DTE Electric Company more expensive than Great Lakes Energy Coop?
- 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 DTE Electric and Great Lakes Energy Coop territory all feed the 0.96-cent gap.