South Dakota already gets almost 83% of its electricity from low-carbon sources—a major clean electricity achievement. Over the last 12 months, from July 2025 through June 2026, wind supplied more than half of its electricity, at about 56%, while hydropower contributed almost a quarter and solar about 2%. Fossil fuels supplied the remaining 17%, with gas accounting for about 10% and coal roughly 8%. South Dakota is also a significant net exporter of electricity, helping neighboring regions lower their emissions. The next challenge is to electrify transport, heating and industry, which will require much more clean electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in South Dakota?

Electricity consumption is growing and setting new records. The latest 2026 figure reached about 24,000 kWh per person, exceeding the previous record of about 23,400 kWh in 2025 by 580 kWh per person, or roughly 2.5%. Low-carbon electricity generation also reached a new high of about 19,800 kWh per person, up 543 kWh from the 2025 record of about 19,200 kWh—an increase of nearly 3%. This is encouraging progress: clean electricity generation is growing slightly faster than electricity consumption, supporting further electrification and future demand.

Suggestions

South Dakota can build on its success by expanding wind generation, which already provides its largest source of low-carbon electricity. More wind capacity, supported by stronger transmission connections and electricity storage, could supply growing local demand while increasing clean electricity exports. Expanding solar from its current small share would further broaden the state's clean electricity supply, and South Dakota should also consider nuclear generation as a complementary source of dependable low-carbon electricity. Together, these investments could help replace fossil-fuel electricity and reduce climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

History

The recent history shows substantial growth in low-carbon electricity, led by wind. In 2024, wind generation increased by 2.7 TWh and hydropower by 0.3 TWh, while low-carbon biofuel generation was unchanged. Growth continued in 2025, with wind adding another 0.6 TWh and hydropower another 0.3 TWh. In 2026, hydropower increased by 0.7 TWh, more than offsetting a disappointing 0.2 TWh decline in wind generation. Across these years, the reported changes totalled about 3.1 TWh of additional wind electricity and 1.3 TWh of additional hydropower, providing a strong foundation for continued clean electricity expansion.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.