Keeping Us All Connected

Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative is a wholesale electric generation and transmission cooperative serving the energy needs of our member cooperatives in western Iowa since 1949. See how our commitment to providing a safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible supply of power and related services requires teamwork and a passion to serve.

Watch Video

Peak Alert

Usage: Normal

View Status
Green Normal Conditions

Your cooperative is currently experiencing normal energy demand. No special energy saving measures are necessary.

  • Normal
  • Approaching Peak
  • Peak Alert

The Electric Cooperative Story

Wondering what a rural electric cooperative is? Don't draw your own conclusions...let us draw them for you!

Watch Video

What We Do

Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) is a generation and transmission electric cooperative supplying wholesale electric power to 7 distribution cooperatives covering 6,500 square miles in western Iowa. These distribution cooperatives supply retail power to over 30,000 members/consumers. NIPCO serves these customers with over 900 miles of 69kV transmission line and 80 distribution substations. Incorporated in 1949 and headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, NIPCO is a Touchstone Energy® electric cooperative and a member of Basin Electric Power Cooperative.

  • Making Electricity

    NIPCO purchases 80% of its power supply from Basin Electric Power Cooperative, (Bismarck, ND) and 20% from Western Area Power Administration (Watertown), SD. Our electric power is generated through energy resources such as wind, water, coal, and natural gas.

  • Delivering Electricity

    With a 99.99% reliability factor, NIPCO's #1 goal is to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible power to our member rural electric distribution cooperatives.

  • Economic Development

    It takes more than electricity to power a community. It takes a strong local economy, too. NIPCO works with our member rural electric cooperatives to promote western Iowa as the place to live, work, and cultivate business.

  • We Are Member Owned

    We Are Member Owned

    NIPCO provides wholesale electric and transmission services to 7 member rural electric distribution cooperatives in western Iowa. Learn more about our members.

  • Image shows older model car traveling a gravel road beside a row of electric power poles.

    The Cooperative Difference

    These poles are pillars that were founded on principle by people with principles. Neighbors banded together, and communities came together to share ownership of the electricity that would advance everyone. That's the Cooperative Difference.

  • Careers

    Careers

    Join the staff of Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative and electrify your career potential.

  • Switch Makes Cents

    Switch Makes Cents

    For more than three decades, NIPCO has committed to the smart management of energy consumption with "Switch Makes Cents", its system-wide load management program.

  • Energy Emergency Declarations Issued, NIPCO Service Territory Affected

    Due to unprecedented electric load demand in the central US, the Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) service territory is being impacted by energy emergency declarations by its regional transmission operator Southwest Power Pool. As energy conditions adjust, NIPCO, along with our primary power providers, Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Western Area Power Administration, will continue to monitor and respond to serve our western Iowa communities safely and reliably. This page will serve as a resource for information and the latest updates impacting NIPCO's 10-county service territory in western Iowa.

  • Understanding Energy and Demand

    How using electricity wisely can help out your neighbors (and your bottom line, too)

  • 2021 Budget Includes Plans for Innovation and Technology

    2021 projects will improve grid resiliency, operational efficiency, and energy consumption, as well as deepen the cooperative’s understanding of electric storage technology and how it will benefit consumers.

  • From Tube Caddy to Laser Beams: Schiltz Retires After 45 Years

    Keith Schiltz has seen communications technology evolve from filament tubes to transistors, then from transistors to solid state chips and then to surface mount chips. Devoting his entire career to NIPCO, Schiltz retired in January 2021 with 45 years of service to the cooperative.