South Dakota stands as a commendable example in the United States with its impressive 81% of electricity sourced from low-carbon options. Dominated by wind power, which accounts for almost 60% of the electricity generation, and supported by hydropower contributing an additional 21%, South Dakota effectively leverages its natural resources for clean energy production. Fossil fuels, though still a part of the mix, represent a smaller portion, with natural gas and coal together providing around 18% of the state's electricity. Solar energy, while having a potential growth trajectory, currently plays a minor role by contributing close to none of the overall electricity output. Additionally, the state takes pride in being a significant net exporter of electricity, aiding its neighbors in reducing their emissions and jointly moving towards a sustainable future. Despite these achievements, the pressing challenge remains to sufficiently ramp up electricity production to meet growing demands from sectors like transportation, heating, and industry seeking electrification.
Is Electricity Growing in South Dakota?
Electricity consumption in South Dakota clearly points towards growth, exemplified by the increase in usage per person to 22,173 kWh in 2024 from a previous high of 19,677 kWh in 2022. This leap of roughly 2,500 kWh per person underscores a robust trend of expanding electricity needs, driven largely by clean energy. In tandem with this growth, low-carbon electricity generation has seen an uplift, achieving 18,040 kWh per person in 2024, up from the earlier record of 16,032 kWh in 2022. This demonstrates a remarkable climb of more than 2,000 kWh per person, affirming South Dakota's commitment to clean energy and hinting at its capacity to support further electrification across different sectors.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, South Dakota can effectively build on its existing strengths in wind energy. Expanding wind farms could enhance the already significant contribution of wind to the electricity mix. Supporting such expansions with advanced technologies and infrastructure development will allow South Dakota to harness more of its natural wind resources. This move, coupled with potential explorations into nuclear power, will enable the state to sustainably meet the rising electricity demands. By advancing these clean energy technologies, South Dakota can both amplify its capacity and solidify its leadership position in sustainable electricity generation.
History
The journey of low-carbon electricity in South Dakota reflects a dynamic history, characterized by notable shifts and growth. In the early 2010s, the state experienced burgeoning wind development; milestones include years like 2010 and 2011 where wind generation saw significant increases of around one TWh each. Hydropower saw growth spurts too, particularly in the late 2000s and early 2010s, with notable fluctuations over the years, often increasing by more than a TWh in some years, only to see dips in others. More recently, significant progress in wind energy occurred in 2020 and 2021, with substantial increases of 2.8 and 3.8 TWh, respectively. This continuous enhancement in wind generation was exemplified again in 2024 with a robust growth of 2.8 TWh, underscoring the state’s determined effort to harness its wind resources as it expands its clean energy footprint.