The Upper Peninsula Generating Company (U.P. Gen. Co.) was an electric utility company that operated in the rugged Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It played a major role in powering both local communities and the region's massive iron mining boom during the 20th century. he company was formed as a joint venture between two major regional power and mining players: The Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) and the Cliffs Electric Service Company (a branch of the famous Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company).