Is Wisconsin Power & Light Co cheaper than Northern States Power Co?

No — in 2024 Wisconsin Power & Light Co customers averaged 16.89 cents/kWh versus 15.83 for Northern States Power Co (EIA-861). Northern States Power Co was cheaper by 1.06 cents, about $115 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Wisconsin Power & Light Co to Northern States Power 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 Wisconsin Power & Light Co more expensive than Northern States Power 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 Wisconsin Power & Light and Northern States Power territory all feed the 1.06-cent gap.

Wisconsin Power & Light Co vs Northern States Power Co: Which Is Cheaper? (Wisconsin, 2024)

Northern States Power Co customers paid less: an average 15.83¢/kWh in 2024 versus 16.89¢/kWh at Wisconsin Power & Light Co (EIA-861) — a gap of 1.06¢/kWh, worth about $115 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 5 WI counties (Crawford, Jackson, Marathon, …). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (WI, EIA-861)

Wisconsin Power & Light Co vs Northern States Power Co — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Wisconsin Power & Light Co	Northern States Power Co
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	16.89	15.83
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	16.14	16.03
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,825	$1,710
Residential customers (2024)	437,211	220,574
Ownership	Investor-owned	Investor-owned
Counties served in WI	35	28

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Wisconsin Power & Light Co · Northern States Power Co · Wisconsin overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Crawford · Jackson · Marathon · Monroe · Vernon counties (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 Northern States Power 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 Northern States Power Co?: No — in 2024 Wisconsin Power & Light Co customers averaged 16.89 cents/kWh versus 15.83 for Northern States Power Co (EIA-861). Northern States Power Co was cheaper by 1.06 cents, about $115 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Wisconsin Power & Light Co to Northern States Power 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 Wisconsin Power & Light Co more expensive than Northern States Power 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 Wisconsin Power & Light and Northern States Power territory all feed the 1.06-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.