A Guide for Serving Large Loads

Addressing Electric Co-op Challenges

January 2026

Teri Viswanath

Teri Viswanath

Lead Economist, Power and Energy

This digital guide is a practical resource to help electric cooperatives address the unique challenges of integrating large loads. The commitment to serve all members is a co-op foundational value. But what happens when that commitment potentially imperils a co-op’s financial or operational well-being?

Based on candid interviews, market research and analysis, this guide shows how cooperatives are earning new business and delivering value to their communities—while adopting robust contract structures to protect members from bearing the costs of serving large loads.

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