Wisconsin Electricity Rates
Rate data for Wisconsin is being refreshed. The regulator and market facts below are current; figures return with the next data load.
Can you choose your electricity supplier in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin has not opened its residential electricity market to competition, so the utility that delivers your power also sells it. Its prices are set in rate cases before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, and the rate you pay depends on which utility serves your address, your rate schedule, and the season.
Grid operator: MISO. Wholesale power costs flow through to retail bills on the regulator's schedule rather than month to month, which is why regulated-state rates move more slowly than the market-based states listed below.
Want to shop for a supplier? Retail choice is open on this site in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington DC.
Wisconsin has no supplier choice (Wis. Stat. 196.495 gives each utility or co-op the premises it already serves), yet its PSC deposit rule is unusually strict about who can be charged a new-service deposit (only a six-year unpaid balance at a Wisconsin utility, waived at or below 200% of poverty), the November 1 to April 15 cold-weather rule bars heat-related shutoffs statewide, and residential prices run above the U.S. average, with We Energies even mandating a time-of-use rate (opt-out allowed) for homes using more than 60,000 kWh a year.
Who will deliver your power in Wisconsin
The utility is fixed by your address. These are the largest in the state, with what each says it needs from a new customer.
We Energies (Wisconsin Electric Power Company)investor-owned
WEC Energy Group subsidiary delivering energy to Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, including steam service in downtown Milwaukee; the PSC lists it among the state's largest utilities (1-800-842-4565). About more than 1.1 million electric customers in Wisconsin (per We Energies).
We Energies' start page asks for your Social Security number and previous address, says the request is processed in two business days, and requires that you be a residential homeowner or renter with none of your previous accounts in arrears (customer service 800-242-9137). If asked to verify identity you have 14 days from the application date to present one primary government photo ID or two secondary IDs in person or the application is canceled; the Service and Safety Guide says to contact the company at least three business days before moving, that a deposit may be asked of a new customer with an unpaid balance at any Wisconsin utility from the last six years (the guide waives it at or below 60% of state median income and accepts a noncash deposit; the PSC rule, PSC 113.0402, sets the exemption at 200% of federal poverty guidelines) and is refunded with interest after 12 consecutive months with no more than three late payments.
Start service with We Energies →Sources: we-energies.com, we-energies.com, we-energies.com, we-energies.com, we-energies.com, psc.wi.gov, docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Alliant Energy (Wisconsin Power and Light Company)investor-owned
Madison-headquartered Alliant Energy's Wisconsin utility, WPL, regulated by the PSC; its communities-served list includes Baraboo, Beaver Dam, Janesville, Madison, Portage, Reedsburg, Sheboygan and Wisconsin Dells. About approximately 500,000 electric retail customers in Wisconsin (per Alliant Energy).
Start service online with your Social Security Number or Federal Tax ID (call 1-800-ALLIANT, 800-255-4268, if you have neither); the renter flyer says agents are available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Alliant's Guide to Your Rights says bills arrive every 26 to 35 days, a deposit of up to the sum of the four highest consecutive bills over the past 12 months may be requested if a November 1 to April 15 payment is 80 or more days past due, no deposit is required at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines, and deposits are returned with interest after 12 consecutive months of prompt payment.
Start service with Alliant Energy →Sources: alliantenergy.com, alliantenergy.com, alliantenergy.com, alliantenergy.com, alliantenergy.com, alliantenergy.com
Wisconsin Public Service (WPS)investor-owned
WEC Energy Group subsidiary serving northeastern and north central Wisconsin. About approximately 474,000 electric customers (per WPS).
WPS says there is typically no cost to establish service but a security deposit may be billed in some cases, extra charges can apply for unsealing a meter or work outside Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and you may have to pay or arrange payment on a previous unpaid balance before a new account is opened (residential moves 800-450-7260). Meters are read automatically every day, so no one needs to be home; its standard residential rate is $0.14802 per kWh plus a $0.58915 daily customer charge.
Start service with Wisconsin Public Service →Sources: wisconsinpublicservice.com, wisconsinpublicservice.com, wisconsinpublicservice.com, wisconsinpublicservice.com
Madison Gas and Electric (MGE)investor-owned
Electric service to Madison, McFarland, Monona, Middleton, Fitchburg, Cross Plains and other Dane County communities, a service-area population of 376,000. About 170,000 electric customers (per MGE).
MGE takes start, move and stop requests through My Account (customer service 608-252-7000 or 1-800-245-1125, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) with separate Move Service (moving within MGE's area) and Start Service (a new address without stopping a current one) options. Its paper residential application requires date of birth, at least one form of identification (full or last-four Social Security number, driver's license, state ID or passport), the start date, the previous address, and warns the application may be denied if required fields are blank; the standard Rg-1 rate is $0.12178 electricity plus $0.06255 distribution per kWh and $0.49315 per day.
Start service with Madison Gas and Electric →Xcel Energy (Northern States Power Company)investor-owned
Xcel's Upper Midwest service area includes Wisconsin (its proposed Ten Mile Creek project is in St. Croix County); the PSC lists Xcel Energy among the state's largest utilities (1-800-895-4999) and Focus on Energy lists it as Xcel Energy (Northern States Power).
Xcel's start/stop/transfer portal does not state lead times, ID or deposit rules for Wisconsin movers.
Start service with Xcel Energy →Sources: my.xcelenergy.com, psc.wi.gov, focusonenergy.com, newsroom.xcelenergy.com
Deposits, ID, and supplier choice in Wisconsin
Deposits. Under Wis. Admin. Code PSC 113.0402 a utility may not require a deposit for new residential service unless you owe an unpaid balance to a Wisconsin electric utility or cooperative from the last 6 years that is not under an honored payment arrangement and is undisputed; customers with gross quarterly income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines are exempt, a new-account deposit cannot exceed the highest estimated gross bill for any 2 consecutive billing periods, the utility must give a written reason and notice of your right to appeal to the PSC, deposits earn interest, and the deposit is refunded after 12 consecutive months of prompt payment. The PSC Bill of Rights adds that a deposit can also be requested if your service was disconnected for nonpayment in the last 12 months, your application was falsified or incomplete, or winter (November 1 to April 15) debt was 80 or more days past due while you had the ability to pay. (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov)
Choosing a supplier. No residential supplier choice exists: Wis. Stat. 196.495 bars any public utility or electric cooperative from serving premises already receiving electric service from another utility or cooperative, and EIA's 2024 profile records all 68,291,424 MWh of Wisconsin retail sales as full-service-provider sales with zero energy-only (competitive supplier) sales (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/196/495).
Your utility is fixed by address; the PSC publishes an interactive Electric Service Territories map, and Wisconsin's suppliers include investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities (MEUW says more than 300,000 homes and businesses are served by public power utilities) and cooperatives; the PSC's cold-weather rule (PSC 113.0304) bars utilities from disconnecting heat-related residential service for nonpayment from November 1 to April 15. EIA puts Wisconsin's 2024 average retail price at 12.72 cents/kWh (ranked 17th among states) and its July 2026 residential average at 19.06 cents/kWh, above the U.S. average of 18.31 cents and neighbors Minnesota (17.45) and Iowa (15.99) but below the East North Central regional average of 19.57; disputes go to a PSC consumer specialist at 608-266-2001 or 1-800-225-7729 (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) after you first try to resolve them with the utility.
Sources: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, psc.wi.gov, docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, eia.gov, eia.gov, psc.wi.gov, docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, psc.wi.gov, meuw.org
Help paying an electric bill in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), Wisconsin's LIHEAP
Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR), through a network of county agencies, tribal governments, community-based organizations and housing authorities (1-866-HEATWIS / 432-8947; Statewide Customer Care Center 1-800-506-5596)
Households with income at or below 60% of Wisconsin's median income (for the October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 program year: $39,864 a year for one person, $52,129 for two, $64,395 for three, $76,661 for four) may qualify for help with heating and electric bills, with LIHEAP funds covering mainly heating and Public Benefits funds covering non-heating electric use; apply online at energybenefit.wi.gov or by phone, mail or in person through a local agency, and the Home Energy Plus site says heating-season applications (October 1 through May 15) are for a one-time regular payment covering part of your energy cost. DEHCR warns benefits are not guaranteed once a year's funds run out; the federal LIHEAP Clearinghouse lists FY2026 heating benefits of $30 minimum to $2,147 maximum, crisis benefits up to $1,200, and 182,938 households helped with heating in FY2024.
Sources: energyandhousing.wi.gov, energybenefit.wi.gov, liheapch.acf.gov, psc.wi.gov, energyandhousing.wi.gov, energyandhousing.wi.gov
Wisconsin Weatherization Assistance Program
Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (Energy Help Line 866-432-8947)
Funds improve the energy efficiency, health and safety of homes occupied by low-income households, and Public Benefits-funded work may only be done on buildings served by a participating electric utility; the Home Energy Plus (HE+) online application also provides access to the Weatherization program, and DEHCR's income eligibility table covers both WHEAP and Weatherization (for 10/1/2025 to 9/30/2026, $38,421 a year for one person up to $101,965 for eight). The LIHEAP Clearinghouse lists the weatherization program year as July 1 to June 30 with 2,439 households weatherized in FY2024.
Sources: energyandhousing.wi.gov, energyandhousing.wi.gov, liheapch.acf.gov, energybenefit.wi.gov
Statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy programs funded by Wisconsin's investor-owned utilities and participating municipal and cooperative utilities under Wis. Stat. 196.374(2)(a), overseen by the PSC and run by program administrator APTIM
Customers of the 106 utilities on Focus on Energy's participating list (including We Energies, Alliant/WPL, MGE, Xcel and WPS) can get rebates for insulation and air sealing, smart thermostats, water heating and heating and cooling, free energy-saving product packs, and a Solar for Homes rebate of $600 per kW up to $2,400 for systems of 0.5 kW DC or larger; the LIHEAP Clearinghouse lists an income-qualified Targeted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR offer (800-762-7077).
Sources: focusonenergy.com, focusonenergy.com, focusonenergy.com, focusonenergy.com, liheapch.acf.gov
Alliant Energy Hometown Care Energy Fund and Arrears Management
Alliant Energy, with Hometown Care applications through local community action agencies
Income-qualified Alliant households can receive up to $500 toward heating and cooling costs from the Hometown Care Energy Fund, Arrears Management forgives part of a past-due balance with on-time payments, and payment plans can be set up online in My Account; the LIHEAP Clearinghouse also lists MGE's Energy Fund (608-252-7222) and the charitable Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund (1-800-891-9276) as emergency sources.
Sources: alliantenergy.com, liheapch.acf.gov
Programs that change what you pay
- Rooftop solar (net metering)available
- The PSC says net metering (net energy billing) is available in Wisconsin to investor-owned and municipal utility customers for customer-owned generation below a certain size threshold, with the customer billed on the difference between energy consumed and produced, interconnection under Wis. Admin. Code PSC 119 (Category 1 is 20 kW or less), and parallel-generation buyback rates for excess output; MGE, for example, applies its Pg-2 net metering rate to systems of 100 kW and under, and Alliant bills customer solar as parallel generation (net metering).
Sources: psc.wi.gov, docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, mge.com, alliantenergy.com
- Community solarlimited
- Community solar is utility-run and territory-specific: Alliant Energy Community Solar sells blocks (up to 100% of your use) with bill credits based on solar production from its Fond du Lac (1 MW, 2022, about 150 subscribers) and Janesville (2.25 MW, May 2025, about 250 subscribers) gardens, both fully subscribed with a waitlist, while MGE's Shared Solar - Strix in Fitchburg charges a one-time $15 or $7.50 per share fee plus $0.13160 or $0.13660 per kWh for up to 50% of annual use on a six-year fixed-rate agreement that transfers with you within MGE territory (enrollment in MGE's original Shared Solar closed in August 2024).
Sources: alliantenergy.com, mge.com, mge.com
- Time-of-use ratesavailable
- Optional residential time-of-use rates exist at the major utilities: We Energies' Rg2 charges $0.30084 on-peak and $0.10028 off-peak per kWh with a choice of four 12-hour weekday on-peak windows (7-7, 8-8, 9-9 or 10-10) and is mandatory, with an opt-out, for homes using more than 60,000 kWh a year; MGE's TOU requires at least one year and moves to a simpler structure on January 1, 2027 (on-peak 4 to 8 p.m. weekdays, off-peak 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily); Alliant offers Nights and Weekends (RG-5, about $15 a month, cheapest 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and Peak Nights and Weekends (RD-1, about $10 a month plus a $5.88 per kW peak demand charge for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays).
Sources: we-energies.com, we-energies.com, mge.com, mge.com, alliantenergy.com
Questions people ask before moving to Wisconsin
How far ahead should I set up electricity before moving to Wisconsin?
We Energies processes a start request in two business days and its Service and Safety Guide says to contact the company at least three business days before moving; both We Energies and WPS read meters automatically every day, so no one needs to be home, but a specific meter-reading request needs at least 24 hours' notice. MGE says to fill out the application completely because it may deny a request with blank required fields, and offers separate Move Service (moving within MGE's area) and Start Service (a new address without stopping a current one) requests.
Sources: we-energies.com, we-energies.com, we-energies.com, wisconsinpublicservice.com, mge.com, mge.com
Do I need a Social Security number or a deposit to open an account?
We Energies asks for your Social Security number and previous address and may require in-person photo ID within 14 days, Alliant asks for an SSN or Federal Tax ID (call 800-255-4268 if you have neither), and MGE accepts a full or last-four SSN, driver's license, state ID or passport plus your date of birth. Under PSC 113.0402 a deposit for new residential service is allowed only if you owe an undisputed unpaid balance to a Wisconsin electric utility or cooperative from the last 6 years, is waived at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines, is capped at the highest estimated gross bill for 2 consecutive billing periods, and is refunded with interest after 12 consecutive months of prompt payment.
Sources: we-energies.com, we-energies.com, alliantenergy.com, mge.com, docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Can I shop for a cheaper electricity supplier in Wisconsin?
No; Wis. Stat. 196.495 prohibits any utility or electric cooperative from serving premises already served by another, so your address determines your provider, and EIA records zero energy-only (competitive supplier) sales in Wisconsin for 2024. You can look up which utility serves an address on the PSC's interactive Electric Service Territories map.
Sources: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, eia.gov, psc.wi.gov
Can my power be shut off in winter, and where do I get help with bills?
From November 1 to April 15 Wisconsin utilities may not disconnect residential service that provides or affects the primary heat source for nonpayment, except as a last resort for households above 250% of federal poverty guidelines, though the PSC warns that customers already disconnected are not reconnected until payment arrangements are made and a deposit may follow winter debt 80 or more days past due. Help comes through WHEAP (60% of state median income, apply at energybenefit.wi.gov or 1-866-432-8947), the Weatherization Assistance Program and utility funds such as Alliant's Hometown Care Energy Fund.
Sources: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, psc.wi.gov, psc.wi.gov, energyandhousing.wi.gov, energybenefit.wi.gov, alliantenergy.com
How much does electricity cost in Wisconsin?
EIA's July 2026 data put Wisconsin's residential average at 19.06 cents/kWh, above the 18.31-cent U.S. average and neighbors Minnesota and Iowa but below the East North Central regional average of 19.57 cents; the 2024 average retail price was 12.72 cents (ranked 17th among states). Published standard residential rates are $0.19342 per kWh plus $0.49315 per day at We Energies (effective January 1, 2026), $0.14802 per kWh plus $0.58915 per day at WPS, and $0.12178 electricity plus $0.06255 distribution per kWh plus $0.49315 per day at MGE, with a 1% monthly late charge at We Energies.
Sources: eia.gov, eia.gov, we-energies.com, wisconsinpublicservice.com, mge.com
Researched 2026-10-16 from utility, regulator, and agency pages; every statement links to where it was read. Rules change: confirm deposits and program dates with the utility or agency before you rely on them.
Every state ranked by residential rate, updated weekly: Electricity Rates by State →