• 440 Members added to Electric Vehicle Programs
• $17.4 Million saved by load management programs
• 1.87 Billion kWh sales
• 128,388 calls taken by Member Services
• $4.2 Million capital credits returned to members
• 74,606 Capital credit checks mailed to members
• 20.6 Minutes – Average outage duration per member
• $83,000 donated to our communities
• 135 Miles of trees trimmed

As electricity demand grows across the region, Dakota Electric relies on long‑term power‑supply planning to maintain reliable, affordable service for members. As part of this work, Dakota Electric’s Board of Directors continually evaluates how power‑supply needs shift over time. Our priority is maintaining a balanced mix of resources that can adapt as technology, policy and member needs evolve, ensuring we remain prepared to meet both current and future energy needs.

This long‑term planning is separate from Dakota Electric’s day‑to‑day operations. It helps us understand how our existing energy mix supports reliability over time and allows the cooperative to prepare for changing electricity needs without disrupting service to our members.

As these plans take shape, many members have asked how large loads — such as data centers or major commercial projects — fit into the broader picture and what role they play in future power needs. These facilities often draw attention because of their size, but they are not the only factor driving regional power‑supply planning.

Large loads have long been part of Dakota Electric’s service territory. Although the large loads you may hear about today are bigger than they were in the past, our review process follows the same principles. For decades, these types of projects have been studied, planned for and integrated into the system using established engineering and reliability processes. Each new project is evaluated individually, incorporated into long‑term forecasts and required to meet specific infrastructure and cost obligations before connecting to the system.

These evaluations also help maintain service reliability. Projects move forward only when studies confirm that the system can safely support the additional load. If capacity is not sufficient, the project cannot proceed unless upgrades — funded by the owner — are in place. Dakota Electric does not approve projects that would compromise reliable service for current members.

Long‑range planning is about preparing the cooperative to meet the needs of all members now and into the future — not reacting to any single member type or development.

Members can find more information about large electrical loads and data centers on Dakota Electric’s website FAQ page at www.dakotaelectric.com/large-loads.

A reminder about load management programs

Dakota Electric is the only authorized provider of load‑management programs in our service territory. If you are contacted by an outside company offering these services, please reach out to Dakota Electric’s Energy Experts^® at 651-463-6243 so we can verify the information and assist you.

As growth continues and technology evolves, Dakota Electric will continue to take the long view, ensuring members receive safe, dependable and affordable power for decades to come.