CPower Achieves Recognition as Virtual Power Plant Leader for Third Consecutive Year

CPower's Remarkable Achievement as a VPP Leader

In a significant announcement on September 18, 2025, CPower Energy has once again been recognized as a leader in the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) market by Wood Mackenzie. This marks the third consecutive year for CPower to receive this esteemed recognition, underlining its robust position in the industry.

Highlights of the Recognition

The Wood Mackenzie 2025 North America Virtual Power Plant report highlights several key factors behind CPower's outstanding performance. The firm ranked CPower based on its dispatchable load under management and the extensive range of market and utility demand response programs it operates. This acknowledgment comes during a period of unprecedented energy demand driven by burgeoning AI computing, expanding data centers, and the electrification of various sectors including transportation and housing.

Interestingly, a recent analysis from Wood Mackenzie revealed that demand for energy flexibility is rising, recording over a 33% increase in company deployments, unique off-takers, and monetized utility and market programs across North America compared to the previous year. The intensifying challenges posed by extreme weather conditions, such as frigid winters and searing summer heat waves, have further highlighted the necessity for reliable VPPs in supporting grid stability and adaptability.

CPower's Contributions to the Energy Sector

So far this year, CPower has successfully dispatched energy across more than 900 events, marking a 40% increase from the previous year. The company's impact has been felt across numerous sectors, aiding large load customers including big-box retailers, data centers, manufacturers, hospitals, and schools. This crucial support has been essential in maintaining energy supply and enabling economic continuity within communities nationwide.

Michael D. Smith, CEO of CPower, expressed gratitude for the continued recognition from Wood Mackenzie. “We are honored that Wood Mackenzie has again validated CPower's leadership in Virtual Power Plants. Fast, reliable demand response has never been more critical because it empowers energy users to be part of the solution,” stated Smith. He emphasized that without tapping into existing customer-sited assets, the U.S. stands to miss out on billions of dollars in market growth attributable to AI technology within the next five years due to energy shortfalls.

The Wood Mackenzie report also highlighted that while data centers contribute to increasing energy demands, CPower plays a vital role in mitigating their impact. Through its expansive network of nearly 23,000 sites nationwide, the company harnesses the flexible energy capabilities of customers spanning all significant industries, including data centers, hyper-scalers, and even bitcoin mining operations, effectively transforming them into valuable energy assets.

Ben Hertz-Shargel, Global Head of Grid Edge at Wood Mackenzie, remarked on CPower's leadership, noting that, “There’s finally widespread recognition that VPPs can put money back in the pockets of businesses, rather than just raising rates on them through infrastructure development.” This speaks to the evolving narrative surrounding energy management and the significant role that innovative platforms like CPower are playing in reshaping the energy landscape.

About CPower Energy

Established as a leader in the VPP space, CPower Energy has specialized in monetizing the value of customer-sited energy to strengthen the electrical grid intelligently. For more than a decade, the organization has facilitated the transformation of flexible energy into revenue for its partners and large energy consumers, ranging from businesses to public institutions and healthcare organizations. Since 2015, CPower has disbursed over $1.2 billion to customers through various demand response and energy flexibility programs.

By continuing to evolve with the market and embracing innovative solutions to energy management, CPower is paving the way for a more reliable and sustainable future in the energy sector.