Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation
| Company type | Joint action agency |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric utility |
| Founded | July 12, 1979 |
| Headquarters | Smyrna , United States |
Area served | Delaware |
| Products | Electricity generation and wholesale supply |
| Website | www |
The Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DEMEC) functions as a Joint Action Agency and wholesale electric utility serving nine municipal electric departments across Delaware. Its headquarters are located in Smyrna. Since its inception in 1979, DEMEC has provided electric services to all principal cities and towns in Delaware, with the exception of Wilmington.
About
DEMEC's member utilities collectively deliver electricity to more than 125,000 customers, managing a peak demand that surpasses 460 MW. The corporation operates as the generation owner and PJM Interconnection load serving entity for eight municipal utilities, fulfilling their entire wholesale electricity requirements, while also partially supplying the City of Dover. Beyond power supply, DEMEC offers its members legal and technical advisory services and acts as their representative at both federal and regional forums.
A Board of Directors composed of nine representatives—one from each member utility—oversees governance. This Board appoints a President and CEO who handles the organization's day-to-day management.
DEMEC possesses a power generation facility in Smyrna consisting of two units rated at 50 MW each, which provide electricity to seven member utilities. It procures solar energy from the Dover SUN Park, owned by SunPower, serving Dover, along with the Milford Solar Farm, owned by Public Service Enterprise Group, situated in Milford. Additional solar installations operate within the territories of member municipalities. Wind energy sources include purchases from the Laurel Hill Wind Farm located in Pennsylvania and a 2 MW turbine installed at the University of Delaware's Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes.
Members
The following nine municipal electric departments in Delaware comprise DEMEC's membership:
- City of Dover Electric Department
- City of Milford Electric Department
- City of Newark Electric Department
- City of Seaford Electric Department
- Lewes Board of Public Works
- Municipal Services Commission of the City of New Castle
- Town of Clayton Electric Department
- Town of Middletown Electric Department
- Town of Smyrna Electric Department
History
DEMEC was created through legislation enacted by the Delaware General Assembly on June 6, 1978, and officially incorporated on July 12, 1979. In 2002, it expanded its power generation capacity with a $35 million investment to construct a 50 MW facility in Smyrna. A second unit with an equivalent capacity was added to this plant in June 2012, further increasing its electricity production capabilities.