An electric cooperative is a type of utility association created for the purpose of delivering commercial electric services to its members at the lowest possible cost. It is primarily aimed at providing low-population rural communities (which large and established power companies were reluctant to provide electricity) with affordable and reliable electric power to help them attain sustainable development.

Surry Yadkin Electric Cooperative

Electric utility cooperatives around the world generally aspire to operate under the Rochdale Principles, which set the ideal operation of cooperatives. These principles promote voluntary and open membership, democratic control of members, cooperative independence and autonomy, cooperation with other cooperatives, and concern for the community where a cooperative operates.

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