Commitment to Reliability

At Wright-Hennepin, we understand that our members count on electricity to power their lives. That’s why reliability is one of our top priorities. We invest in preventative maintenance, grid modernization, and 24/7 outage response to minimize disruptions and restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Please Note: While we do everything we can to reduce the likelihood and duration of outages, continuous service cannot be guaranteed. Weather, equipment failure, accidents, and other unforeseen events can still interrupt power from time to time. Our team is always ready to respond.

Preventing Outages Before They Happen

We take a proactive approach to system maintenance and upgrades. This includes:

Routine inspection and maintenance of power lines and substations
Vegetation management to reduce tree-related outages
Investments in automation and advanced grid technology that improve response times and detect issues early
Upgrading aging infrastructure to support growing demand and evolving member needs

Our engineering and operations teams work year-round to strengthen our system and minimize service interruptions.

Fast, Effective Restoration When Needed

When the unexpected happens—whether it’s severe weather or equipment failure—our crews are ready. Wright-Hennepin maintains 24/7 outage response capabilities, supported by:

Real-time system monitoring
Advanced outage detection tools
A coordinated restoration process with field and office teams
Regular training and drills to ensure safety and speed

Most outages are resolved quickly, thanks to a combination of preparation, technology, and experienced line workers.

Member Tools for Monitoring Reliability

We empower you to stay informed and take control of your energy experience:

Outage Map:
View real-time outage status and restoration progress on the interactive outage map.

WH Account Portal:
Log in to your WH Account to access the MyMeter tool, track your energy usage, and report outages.

Notifications:
Receive updates during planned maintenance or outages by setting up alerts.

Building for the Future

Our commitment to reliability also means planning ahead. As more members add electric vehicles, home automation, and renewable energy systems, Wright-Hennepin is preparing our grid to meet future demand. We’re investing in:

Enhanced grid technology enables two-way communication, improve outage response, and provide real-time energy usage data to members.
System automation and backup power support to make the grid more resilient, automatically manage power flow, and ensure continuous service during peak demand or outages.
WH makes strategic upgrades to our system to ensure stronger, more reliable service for you and the entire cooperative for years to come.

Grid Reliability FAQ

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) anticipates it will have 124 GW of need but just 119 GW of “projected regularly available generation.” While this firm energy supply represents 96% of the expected need, it also means MISO will likely rely on other resources, including intermittent generation like renewables, energy imports from other regions, utility demand management programs and reserves to meet its obligations. This means a heightened – though still likely low – risk of blackouts.

Risk of rolling blackouts occurs when there is high electric demand and not enough supply in the states served by MISO. In response, MISO can import electricity from other regions and instruct utilities to reduce load to meet demand. This would typically occur during extreme weather. It may not be specific to Wright and Hennepin counties, but it could affect us if the larger system has high demand.