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Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

Does Wisconsin import about 15% of its electricity from other states?

Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch
yes

Wisconsin, which produces less electricity than it consumes, imports on average 15% of its electricity from other states, federal statistics show.

In 2024, Wisconsin used about 73 million megawatt-hours of electricity. That included about 8 million – 11.1% – imported from other states.

Minnesota imported 10.3%.

Iowa (14.5%), Illinois (22.7%) and Michigan (14.6%) were net-exporters.

Wisconsin imported more in previous years:

2023: 14.8%

2022: 18.4%

2021: 14%

2020: 15.7%

About 10% of U.S. electricity generation is traded across state lines.

Wisconsin participates in a grid run by Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which aims to ensure power flows across 15 central U.S. states.

Electricity rates in Wisconsin, which produces most electricity from coal and natural gas, have exceeded regional averages annually for 20 years.Wisconsin utility ratepayers owe nearly $1 billion on coal-powered plants that have been or soon will be shut down, Wisconsin Watch recently reported.

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Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.

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