Winter weather events bring bone-chilling temperatures and surging energy demands, creating high-stakes challenges for the energy industry. In January 2025, Wolverine experienced a new winter peak, reaching 589 MW —the highest electricity demand ever recorded on our system during the winter season.

For Wolverine Power Cooperative, maintaining reliable electricity for its members requires meticulous planning, seamless teamwork, and clear communication. This recent record-high winter demand across regions served by MISO, PJM (regional grid operators that manage the transmission of electricity across the U.S.) and Wolverine highlights how internal collaboration plays a pivotal role in keeping the lights on during major cold weather events

Proactive Preparedness: Planning for the Worst

Severe weather is unpredictable, which is why Wolverine aims to always be prepared. Months before winter sets in, the cooperative secures gas contracts, strengthens supplier agreements, and assesses potential risks to operations. By cultivating strong relationships with natural gas marketers, Wolverine ensures availability, flexibility, and rapid response when energy demand spikes.

“Natural gas is a critical resource during events like these,” explains Lucas Johnson, Wolverine’s Manager of Power Supply. “We proactively purchase gas well before storms hit, which helps us avoid worst-case scenarios. It’s about managing risks early, so we have options when things escalate.”

As extreme weather approaches, Wolverine closely monitors key indicators—weather forecasts, gas pipeline conditions, and wholesale market trends—through detailed tracking systems. These early warning tools provide lead time to develop response plans and mitigate risks before the situation becomes critical.

Coordinated Response: Managing Demand in Real-Time

During extreme weather events, Wolverine’s Merchant Operations Center (MOC) serves as the nerve center, ensuring real-time coordination between energy markets, natural gas supplies, and generation facilities.

“MOC serves as a bridge,” Johnson says. “We process incoming information, make quick decisions, and keep everyone aligned.”

Wolverine’s teams across departments remain unified by a shared commitment to reliability. Generation team employees provide incredible flexibility working long shifts, in many cases around-the-clock, ensuring that generators stay online.

“When an event like this comes along, everyone jumps in to keep the power on,” says VP of Generation & Transmission Dan Calverley. “The grit, determination, and selflessness both in the plants and in the field reminds me what makes cooperatives so special.”

Values like “cooperatives supporting cooperatives” also shine through in Wolverine’s communication with its member systems. “We’re proactive with alerts to members when conditions become concerning,” Johnson notes. “It’s part of what makes co-ops unique—our close ties to the people we serve.”

Results That Matter: Keeping the Lights On

Wolverine’s preparedness and teamwork directly benefits its members. Whether it’s winter electricity demand and freezing temperatures stretching from Michigan to Florida, or heatwaves that tax electricity capacity, Wolverine’s generation fleet performs at an industry leading level.

“Maintaining reliability and managing risk are our primary goals,” says COO Zach Anderson. “It’s not an exaggeration to say that Wolverine’s outstanding performance provides benefits not only to our members but the entire region. Our members rely on us, and our focused, coordinated efforts ensure we deliver power without disruption.”

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, these events highlight the importance of readiness and collaboration. Wolverine’s approach—strategic planning, strong relationships, unparalleled communication, and a unified team—makes the difference between a manageable situation and a crisis.

From the MOC to the generation sites, Wolverine Power demonstrates that it’s not just about power—it’s about people working together to power through challenging times.