Westar Energy

Safe ,reliable electricity is a foundation of our economy, which is why we're committed to doing what it takes to meet Kansas' continually changing energy needs. 

As the largest electric provider in Kansas, our goal is to become a preferred energy provider, inside and outside our service territory. 

Headquartered in Topeka, Westar Energy employs about 2,400 people and serves nearly 700,000 customers in much of east and east-central Kansas (see our service territory map). Our energy centers generate more than 7,000 megawatts of electricity, and we operate and coordinate 35,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines.

Westar Energy service trucks and customer service centers use advanced technology to better serve our customers. Our 1-800-LIGHT-KS outage line can accept 30,000 calls per hour. Computer terminals in our service trucks generate work assignments for our crews. During storms, these tools help us restore power quickly.

It is also important to us to give something back to the people we serve. Through the Westar Energy Green Team, Westar Energy Foundation and Westar Energy Community Partners, we help preserve the state’s environment, support non-profit agencies and encourage volunteerism among our employees and retirees.

Our history

IN 1909, The American Power & Light Company organized Kansas Gas and Electric Company to operate utilities in Wichita, Pittsburg and Frontenac.

KG&E grew rapidly. At the end of 1910, it served three communities and 5,525 customers. By 1925, service extended to 50 communities and 48,773 customers. At one time, KG&E also provided natural gas to Hutchinson, Newton, Pittsburg and Wichita.

With financial backing from Illinois Power and Light Corporation, The Kansas Power and Light Company was founded in 1924 in Tecumseh. Transmission lines ran to Topeka and Atchison. The company immediately began acquiring customers and the assets of area electric and natural gas utilities.

In 1983, KPL acquired The Gas Service Company and rights to serve its one million natural gas customers in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

In 1992, KPL merged with KG&E to become Western Resources. It served 560,000 electric customers and 1.06 million natural gas customers in three states.

In 1996, an agreement gave Tulsa, Okla.-based ONEOK, Inc. ownership of Western Resources natural gas business. In return, Western Resources received approximately 45 percent ownership in ONEOK. This investment was sold in 2002 and 2003 as part of the company's renewed focus on being a pure electric utility.

In 2002, Western Resources shareholders approved changing the company’s name to Westar Energy. Our stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WR.

Mission, vision and values

We power lives – one home, one business, one community at a time – with safe, clean, reliable electricity and the highest dedication to customer care.

Vision statement

At Westar Energy, building trust and confidence means taking to heart the needs of those we serve – our customers, employees, investors and communities.

Taking customers to heart. We’re honored to be our customers’ energy partner. Our constant goal is to genuinely care for and respect our customers. Given a choice, we want our customers to choose us.

Taking employees to heart. We’re proud of our people and our positive culture. We applaud dedication to safety, diversity, leadership, innovation and doing what is right.

Taking investors to heart. We balance short-term gains with long-term plans to deliver consistent, competitive value for our investors who have entrusted us with their savings.

Taking communities to heart. We are good neighbors and serve as civic leaders and environmental stewards. Together, we make Kansas a better place to live.

Core values

Safety. We value safety at all times and in all situations.

Integrity. We respect each other and those we serve by being honest and choosing the hard right over the easy wrong for the good of our entire company.

Accountability. We take personal responsibility for our actions, decisions and commitments.

Adaptability. Each of us grows our value by embracing and ushering in change to meet our ever-changing industry and our customers’ evolving needs.