How Northern States Power compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs Northern States Power, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Marshfield | 10.07 | 11,928 | -5.76 | -$622 |
| Dahlberg Light & Power Co | 12.62 | 10,939 | -3.21 | -$347 |
| City of River Falls | 13.28 | 6,709 | -2.55 | -$276 |
| Northwestern Wisconsin Elec Co | 13.84 | 12,990 | -1.99 | -$215 |
| Scenic Rivers Energy Coop | 15.23 | 13,597 | -0.60 | -$64 |
| Dunn County Electric Coop | 15.45 | 9,482 | -0.38 | -$41 |
| Barron Electric Coop | 15.72 | 19,266 | -0.11 | -$12 |
| Northern States Power Co (this page) | 15.83 | 220,574 | — | — |
| Oakdale Electric Coop | 15.87 | 17,027 | +0.04 | +$4 |
| Polk-Burnett Electric Coop | 15.90 | 20,379 | +0.07 | +$8 |
| Wisconsin Public Service Corp | 16.23 | 411,775 | +0.40 | +$44 |
| Riverland Energy Cooperative | 16.30 | 18,970 | +0.47 | +$51 |
14 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with Northern States Power. Showing the 11 cheapest. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than Northern States Power customers at the same usage. Territories are fixed by address — these gaps measure cost differences between areas, not options you can pick between.
Where Northern States Power customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | Northern States Power premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clark | City of Marshfield | 10.07 | +$622 |
| Marathon | City of Marshfield | 10.07 | +$622 |
| Price | City of Marshfield | 10.07 | +$622 |
| Taylor | City of Marshfield | 10.07 | +$622 |
| Vernon | City of Westby | 11.51 | +$466 |
| St Croix | City of New Richmond | 11.60 | +$457 |
| Trempealeau | Whitehall Electric Utility | 12.29 | +$382 |
| Bayfield | Dahlberg Light & Power Co | 12.62 | +$347 |
Multiple utilities in one county means adjoining territories, not household choice — you cannot switch wires companies. Showing the 8 highest-premium counties of 28 served.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 16.03 | 15.83 | -1.2% |
| Residential customers | 218,404 | 220,574 | +1.0% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Statewide context: Wisconsin electricity rates.
Supply vs delivery on a Northern States Power bill
Wisconsin is a regulated retail market — Northern States Power customers cannot choose a different supplier; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings. Official information: psc.wi.gov.
Counties served (WI, EIA-861 2024)
Ashland · Barron · Bayfield · Buffalo · Chippewa · Clark · Crawford · Dunn · Eau Claire · Iron · Jackson · La Crosse · Lincoln · Marathon · Monroe · Oneida · Pepin · Pierce · Polk · Price · Rusk · Sawyer · St Croix · Taylor · Trempealeau · Vernon · Vilas · Washburn
Head-to-head comparisons
- We Energies (Wisconsin Electric Power) vs Northern States Power Co
- Wisconsin Power & Light Co vs Northern States Power Co
- Wisconsin Public Service Corp vs Northern States Power Co
Questions people ask
- Is Northern States Power Co more expensive than other Wisconsin utilities?
- Northern States Power Co customers paid an average 15.83 cents/kWh in 2024 — 9% below the Wisconsin volume-weighted average of 17.30 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from Northern States Power Co?
- No — distribution territory is fixed by address and Wisconsin has no residential supplier shopping. Rate changes go through the state utility commission (psc.wi.gov).
- How many customers does Northern States Power Co have?
- 220,574 residential customers in Wisconsin in 2024 across 28 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.