Is Northern States Power Co - Minnesota cheaper than NorthWestern Energy?

No — in 2024 Northern States Power Co - Minnesota customers averaged 13.87 cents/kWh versus 12.56 for NorthWestern Energy (EIA-861). NorthWestern Energy was cheaper by 1.31 cents, about $141 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Northern States Power Co - Minnesota to NorthWestern Energy?

No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. South Dakota has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.

Why is Northern States Power Co - Minnesota more expensive than NorthWestern Energy?

EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Northern States Power Co - Minnesota and NorthWestern Energy territory all feed the 1.31-cent gap.

Northern States Power Co - Minnesota vs NorthWestern Energy: Which Is Cheaper? (South Dakota, 2024)

NorthWestern Energy customers paid less: an average 12.56¢/kWh in 2024 versus 13.87¢/kWh at Northern States Power Co - Minnesota (EIA-861) — a gap of 1.31¢/kWh, worth about $141 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 4 SD counties (Hanson, Hutchinson, Sanborn, …). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (SD, EIA-861)

Northern States Power Co - Minnesota vs NorthWestern Energy — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Northern States Power Co - Minnesota	NorthWestern Energy
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	13.87	12.56
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	14.15	11.26
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,498	$1,356
Residential customers (2024)	92,204	51,467
Ownership	Investor-owned	Investor-owned
Counties served in SD	10	27

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Northern States Power Co - Minnesota · NorthWestern Energy · South Dakota overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Hanson · Hutchinson · Sanborn · Turner counties (SD, 2024).

Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.

Can you actually choose between them?

No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Northern States Power Co - Minnesota and NorthWestern Energy do not compete for the same meters. South Dakota is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (puc.sd.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.

Questions people ask

Is Northern States Power Co - Minnesota cheaper than NorthWestern Energy?: No — in 2024 Northern States Power Co - Minnesota customers averaged 13.87 cents/kWh versus 12.56 for NorthWestern Energy (EIA-861). NorthWestern Energy was cheaper by 1.31 cents, about $141 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Northern States Power Co - Minnesota to NorthWestern Energy?: No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. South Dakota has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
Why is Northern States Power Co - Minnesota more expensive than NorthWestern Energy?: EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Northern States Power Co - Minnesota and NorthWestern Energy territory all feed the 1.31-cent gap.

About these numbers. Rates shown are averages computed from federal regulatory filings (EIA Form 861) and public tariff databases — confirm with your utility before making decisions; your actual rate depends on your tariff, usage, and riders. Distribution utility is determined by address and generally cannot be chosen; in retail-choice states you may choose your supplier for the supply portion of the bill. Savings figures use 10,800 kWh/yr (US average residential usage) and are estimates, not quotes. EnergySavings is an independent data project by CertiHomes and is not affiliated with any utility, supplier, or government agency.