As we step into 2026, I’ve been reflecting on the priorities that drive our work. Each year brings its own challenges and opportunities, but one thing remains constant: our commitment to providing affordable, reliable electricity to the communities we serve.

That guides everything we do at Wabash Valley Power Alliance. Every day, I’m focused on how we can strengthen service for our member communities. It’s a message I reinforce with my team, and it’s at the core of our new Substation Battery Program.

This initiative brings state-of-the-art energy storage to several of our member substations. These are not massive batteries you will see towering over the landscape. In fact, most people won’t even notice them. But the difference they can make for your co-op is significant.

Here is how it works: the batteries will be installed behind the meter, keeping stored energy right in the community. They will charge when demand and costs are low, then discharge when demand and
costs spike.

That means savings. By avoiding expensive peak times, we reduce costs for our members. It also helps stabilize prices overall. Just like any other market, electricity follows supply and demand. When demand soars, so can prices. By dispatching batteries during those times, Wabash and our member co-ops
can save money.

But affordability is only half the story. These batteries also boost reliability. Imagine a frigid winter storm or a sweltering summer afternoon. Stored energy can be dispatched exactly when it is needed most. That not only keeps power flowing but can strengthen the system.  

The Substation Battery Program may be a quiet addition to your local co-op, but its impact will be powerful. It is one more way we’re living out our mission: keeping your electricity affordable, reliable, and ready for 2026 and beyond! 

Happy New Year,

Jeff Conrad
President and CEO
Wabash Valley Power Alliance