POWER GENERATION
In the energy industry, Generation & Transmission Cooperatives (G&Ts) secure long-term, all-requirements contracts with their power providers in order to maintain an affordable and reliable power supply for their members. This helps to keep rates stable over a long period of time as well as guarantees a source of electric generation which meets the growing electric needs of its members. More than 83 percent of NIPCO’s operational costs are attributed to purchased power from those power suppliers.
Where NIPCO Gets Its Power
Originally, the Missouri River dams supplied all power requirements for NIPCO's members. In the 1960s, load growth studies indicated the NIPCO members soon would outgrow their hydropower allotment. A new power source was needed. Cooperative leaders from eight states worked together to form Basin Electric Power Cooperative, which is headquartered in Bismarck, ND. Basin Electric built generating plants using sophisticated equipment to protect air quality. Basin Electric now supplies power to 138 rural electric systems in 9 states which, in turn, serve 2.9 million consumers. Basin Electric's power plants have received national recognition for efficiency, low-cost production, and environmental stewardship.
Today, Missouri River hydropower supplies 25 percent of the energy needs for western Iowa's electric cooperatives. NIPCO purchases over 20% of its electric generation from Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), headquartered in Watertown, SD, which manages the energy generation.
Basin Electric Investments
Basin Electric Power Cooperative has a long-standing commitment to the environment, the communities we serve, and the cooperative business model. Our membership deserves the reliable, affordable, and responsible electricity we provide that supports community resiliency and economic opportunity across rural America.
GROWING LOAD WHILE LOWERING EMISSIONS
$2
BILLION
invested in 2021 by Basin Electric and its subsidiaries in emissions control technology and more than $175 million was spent to operate and maintain those controls.
LEADERS IN DECARBONIZATION
$391 MILLION
has been spent to operate and maintain carbon capture equipment of those systems since inception of Dakota Gas' carbon capture project.
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INVESTMENT TO MAINTAIN RELIABILITY
$170
MILLION
invested by Basin Electric and its subsidiaries throughout 2021 in capital expenditures and in-kind services on carbon capture equipment and research & development.
POWERED BY WATER
$2.9
MILLION MWh
of energy, almost 10% of members' demand and energy needs, throughout any given year from the Western Area Power Administration's Hydroelectric facilities.