2026 IPL PROJECTS
Inland Power is committed to serving its members by enhancing infrastructure, improving resilience, and expanding communication tools as it prepares for 2026. The goal is to build a stronger, safer, and more reliable energy future.
WILDFIRE MITIGATION
Inland Power is dedicated to protecting members from rising wildfire risks.
WEATHER MONITORING
Inland Power is collaborating with EnXchange to create a specialized weather-alerting dashboard that integrates
directly with our lines and infrastructure. This technology will enable real-time data usage for fire-safety modes,
reducing outages and improving safety. Additionally, weather cameras will be installed to enhance visibility of
wind, temperature, and precipitation, facilitating quicker and more informed decision-making.
SECTIONALIZING
Our engineering and operations teams are improving system sectionalization by adding reclosers and equipment that divide circuits into smaller sections. This isolates outages to limited areas, minimizing service disruptions —
like when a tree falls, only the affected segment loses power.
SECONDARY INSPECTIONS
After improving primary distribution lines with larger poles and wires, we are now focusing on secondary lines serving individual homes. This includes maintaining equipment and removing debris to ensure safety and
reliability, further enhancing the overall reliability of the system.
DEFENSIBLE SPACE
Inland Power is partnering with conservation districts, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and local fire
departments to educate members on creating defensible space around homes. They provide resources for
removing dead trees and reducing burnable debris to enhance community safety as wildfire risks increase.
RELIABILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
We continue to go the extra mile for our members by investing in smarter meters, stronger substations, upgraded
lines, and ongoing system maintenance to keep your power safe and reliable.
AMI METER SYSTEM UPGRADE
Inland Power is upgrading its 12-year-old AMI system to a new Landis & Gyr platform over the next three to four years. In 2026, the focus will be on replacing failed meters and installing new technology to enhance accuracy,
efficiency and reliability.
SUBSTATION IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION
In 2026, 24% of the work plan budget is allocated for building and upgrading substations to meet growth demands. Inland Power is upgrading seven substations and designing four new ones expected to be operational
in two to four years, ensuring reliable power delivery.
RECONDUCTOR, ADD PHASE, AND NEW LINE CONSTRUCTION
Over 30% of our budget goes to capacity-building projects, such as upgrading lines and constructing new ones, to enhance operational efficiency. These proactive infrastructure improvements help maintain a
strong, flexible system ready for future growth.
ANNUAL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
An additional 32% of our work plan is dedicated to annual maintenance activities such as replacing failed poles, upgrading regulators and capacitors, and inspecting distribution lines. This ongoing work is critical to system health and reflects our commitment to preventing issues before they arise.
OUTAGE COMMUNICATION
We recognize how important timely, accurate information is during an outage, and we are going the extra mile
to enhance communication before, during and after these events.
NEW OUTAGE MAP AT INLANDPOWER.COM AND ENHANCED COMMUNICATIONS
Our redesigned online outage map features user‑friendly, color‑coded outage icons, improved zoom capability, and detailed comment sections. In 2026, we are evaluating options to add a search‑by‑address function to
further improve transparency and ease of use. We will also be looking to find ways to proactively call, text and
email members to provide real-time updates during outage events.
AFTER‑HOURS OPERATIONS TEAM
We are pleased to introduce a dedicated after‑hours and weekend operations team. Although our line crews have always been on call 24/7, we previously relied on a third‑party vendor for dispatching and outage communication. As our cooperative has grown, bringing this service in‑house allows us to provide a more personalized member experience and offer real‑time outage updates directly from our own team.
With significant enhancements planned, 2026 promises to be productive, positively impacting service quality, system resiliency and member experience.
