Side by side (WI, EIA-861)
| Metric | Wisconsin Power & Light Co | Madison Gas & Electric Co |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 16.89 | 20.34 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 16.14 | 19.72 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,825 | $2,196 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 437,211 | 147,501 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Investor-owned |
| Counties served in WI | 35 | 1 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Wisconsin Power & Light Co · Madison Gas & Electric Co · Wisconsin overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Dane county (WI, 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; Wisconsin Power & Light Co and Madison Gas & Electric Co do not compete for the same meters. Wisconsin is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (psc.wi.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is Wisconsin Power & Light Co cheaper than Madison Gas & Electric Co?
- Yes — in 2024 Wisconsin Power & Light Co customers averaged 16.89 cents/kWh versus 20.34 for Madison Gas & Electric Co (EIA-861). Wisconsin Power & Light Co was cheaper by 3.44 cents, about $372 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from Madison Gas & Electric Co to Wisconsin Power & Light Co?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Wisconsin has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
- Why is Madison Gas & Electric Co more expensive than Wisconsin Power & Light 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 Madison Gas & Electric and Wisconsin Power & Light territory all feed the 3.44-cent gap.