When the power is working, no one thinks about it. That’s exactly how it should be. But behind that reliability is a lot of planning, much of it done years before electricity is ever needed. At Wabash Valley Power Alliance, planning ahead is not optional. It’s our responsibility.

Electricity has to be available instantly, whether it’s a mild spring day or the coldest winter night. That means we can’t wait to make decisions until demand shows up. By then, it’s too late and usually much more expensive. We plan power supply years in advance, looking at how much electricity our members will need, when they’ll need it, and what resources will be available to meet that demand. Planning early helps us avoid costly, last-minute solutions, and allows us to make disciplined decisions that protect reliability and affordability. 

The mindset we operate under is that, to put it simply, 2034 is now. We have to look seven to 10 years ahead because that’s how long it takes to ensure the right power supply is in place and can get where it needs to go.

Reliable power and affordable power go hand in hand. When the system isn’t prepared, costs rise quickly. That is why our planning focuses on balancing reliability, cost, and risk over the long term. We study changing electricity use, system growth, new technologies, and higher demand during extreme weather. We run scenarios and plan for multiple outcomes, so we are ready when conditions change. This work happens behind the scenes but is essential to keeping power available and rates as stable as possible.

Every season teaches us something. Extreme weather, cold or hot, tests the system and reinforces why preparation matters. After each season, we review performance and apply those lessons to future decisions, from fuel strategies to infrastructure investments, so we’re better prepared for the next challenge.

Planning ahead is how we stay prepared before power is needed, protect reliability during extreme conditions, and manage costs responsibly. You may never see most of this work and that’s OK. Because when the lights come on without a second thought, that is planning doing its job.

Jeff Conrad
President and CEO
Wabash Valley Power Alliance