About Us

In 1939, less than a hundred members formed Union Power Cooperative, an electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Monroe, North Carolina. Today, the cooperative provides quality, competitively priced electricity, and energy-related services to more than 66,000 members throughout the five southern piedmont counties of Union, Stanly, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, and Rowan counties.

We are one of the largest and fastest growing cooperatives in North Carolina with 118 employees, operating 22 substations and maintaining nearly 6,000 total miles of lines.

Union Power is a member of the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation, the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, Tarheel Electric Membership Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

We celebrate our history of delivering safe and reliable power with exceptional value to homes, farms and businesses. As a cooperative, we adhere to the following cooperative principles.

For ways you can save energy and money, click below to view the Cooperative's 2011 Annual Meeting video presentation, Electricity - A Great Value.

Cooperative Principles: What Makes Us Different?

Click play button below to view The Electric Cooperative Story by NRECA

Principle #1: Voluntary and Open Membership

Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.

Principle #2: Democratic Member Control

Cooperatives are democratic organizations. Members of the cooperative participate at member meetings by electing board representation (directors) to set policies and make decisions. Members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote).

Principle #3: Members' Economic Participation

Members contribute equally to, and democratically control the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative.

Principle #4: Autonomy and Independence

Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.

Principle #5: Education, Training and Information

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

Principle #6: Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

Principle #7: Concern for Community