Over the past twelve months, from September 2024 to August 2025, South Dakota has made impressive strides in its electricity generation. More than 80% of its electricity comes from low-carbon sources, a remarkable achievement that underscores the area's commitment to sustainable energy. Specifically, wind energy contributes over half of the total electricity, while hydropower accounts for nearly a quarter. On the other hand, fossil energy comprises almost 17% of the state's electricity, with coal and gas contributing equally. Solar, the promising low-carbon player, is currently responsible for a modest 2% of the electricity but has significant potential for growth. As South Dakota continues to progress, the next challenge will be to electrify other sectors such as transportation, heating, and industry, which will demand even more electricity.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in South Dakota?
The demand for electricity in South Dakota is not just stable but growing. The latest available data from 2025 indicates that electricity consumption reached 23,466 kWh per person, surpassing the previous record in 2024 of 22,572 kWh per person by a notable margin of 893 kWh. This translates into more electricity to sustain the state's growth and development. Notably, low-carbon electricity generation is also on an upward trajectory. Recent figures show a generation of 19,157 kWh per person, setting a new record by an increase of 737 kWh compared to the previous year. This growth in electricity consumption and low-carbon generation is not only encouraging but essential as the state aims to meet future electrification targets.
Suggestions
To continue increasing low-carbon electricity generation, South Dakota should prioritize expanding its existing wind energy infrastructure. Given the substantial share that wind energy already contributes, improving and expanding this sector could help meet the growing demand for clean electricity efficiently. However, both solar and nuclear power should be considered for future expansion as they offer highly reliable and clean alternatives that can complement wind and hydropower to create a robust energy portfolio. By investing in these technologies, South Dakota can maintain its leadership in sustainable electricity generation and support its broader economic goals.
History
Looking back, South Dakota's history of low-carbon electricity generation reveals a dynamic evolution, particularly in wind and hydropower sectors. In the years between 2009 and 2011, significant hydroelectric gains were made, with an increase of up to 1.4 TWh in certain years. The early 2010s were marked by fluctuations in both hydro and wind, with the latter seeing consistent increases of over 1 TWh annually from 2010 onwards. Entering the 2020s, wind energy saw remarkable growth, with a peak increase of 3.8 TWh in 2021. Despite occasional declines, particularly in hydro, South Dakota's commitment to expanding clean energy is apparent. These efforts underline the state's readiness to embrace innovation and continue building a sustainable electricity future.
