South Dakota is a leader in clean electricity generation, with more than 80% of its electricity derived from low-carbon sources. Over the past year, from September 2024 to August 2025, wind energy contributed to more than half of the state's electricity, accounting for about 57%, while hydropower added another 23%, together providing a substantial portion of clean energy. Meanwhile, fossil fuels make up a smaller fraction, with coal and gas each contributing roughly 8 to 9%. Solar energy, though still a minor player at just over 2%, adds a valuable component to this clean energy mix. South Dakota's position as a significant net exporter of electricity not only showcases its ability to produce substantial green energy but also provides cleaner power to neighboring regions, reducing wider regional emissions. Looking ahead, the state's focus will be on not just sustaining, but substantially increasing its power output to accommodate electrification across sectors like transport, heating, and industry, which will significantly increase electricity demand.
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Is Electricity Growing in South Dakota?
In recent years, electricity consumption has been on an upward trajectory in South Dakota. In 2025, electricity usage reached 23,160 kWh per person. This represents nearly a 600 kWh increase over the previous record set in 2024, demonstrating a growing reliance on electricity. Low-carbon electricity generation has also seen remarkable growth, surpassing its own previous record by over 750 kWh per person, reaching 19,181 kWh in 2025. Such growth in low-carbon electricity is encouraging, as it underscores South Dakota's commitment to expanding its clean energy footprint. This development is promising, both from an environmental perspective and in terms of supporting the state's increasing consumption needs.
Suggestions
To further bolster low-carbon electricity generation, South Dakota should consider expanding existing wind energy facilities. Wind energy is already a major contributor to the state’s electricity supply, creating a solid foundation for additional development. Additionally, integrating more solar energy would enhance the state's clean electricity capacity. Solar, despite currently accounting for a modest portion of the energy mix, holds substantial potential for scalable expansion. Pairing these efforts with a strategic focus on nuclear energy could provide South Dakota with a robust and diverse clean energy portfolio, ensuring the state continues to be a leader in sustainable electricity production as demand grows.
History
Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in South Dakota, the state has experienced varied growth patterns. In the years following 2009, both wind and hydro saw significant enhancements, with notable increases in generation by 2010 and 2011. The fluctuations continued with hydro experiencing some setbacks in 2013, countered by gains in wind. Especially impactful, wind generation surged in 2020 and again in 2021, affirming its central role in the state's clean energy landscape. However, the subsequent decline in 2023 highlights the volatility inherent in expanding energy sources based solely on natural variability. Through this historical lens, it's clear that consistent investment in and expansion of reliable and scalable energy sources, like wind and solar, alongside transitioning to nuclear, will be critical for sustaining long-term low-carbon growth and environmental benefits.
