How NorthWestern Energy compares with the utilities next door
| Utility | 2024 ¢/kWh | Customers | Δ vs NorthWestern Energy, ¢/kWh | $/yr difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown Municipal Utilities | 9.30 | 11,633 | -3.26 | -$352 |
| City of Pierre | 10.65 | 6,126 | -1.91 | -$206 |
| Otter Tail Power Co | 10.93 | 9,048 | -1.63 | -$176 |
| Northern Electric Coop, Inc | 11.29 | 5,757 | -1.27 | -$137 |
| Southeastern Electric Coop Inc | 12.41 | 20,160 | -0.15 | -$16 |
| NorthWestern Energy (this page) | 12.56 | 51,467 | — | — |
| Sioux Valley SW Elec Coop | 12.94 | 22,213 | +0.38 | +$41 |
| Central Electric Coop, Inc | 13.64 | 6,483 | +1.09 | +$117 |
| Northern States Power Co - Minnesota | 13.87 | 92,204 | +1.31 | +$141 |
| Montana-Dakota Utilities Co | 14.60 | 6,367 | +2.04 | +$220 |
9 bundled utilities (≥5,000 customers) share at least one county with NorthWestern Energy. Positive $/yr = that utility's customers pay more than NorthWestern Energy customers at the same usage. Territories are fixed by address — these gaps measure cost differences between areas, not options you can pick between.
Where NorthWestern Energy customers pay more (county benchmark)
| County | Cheapest utility in county | Their ¢/kWh | NorthWestern Energy premium, $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Mix | MidAmerican Energy Co | 8.68 | +$419 |
| Codington | Watertown Municipal Utilities | 9.30 | +$352 |
| Hughes | City of Pierre | 10.65 | +$206 |
| Day | Otter Tail Power Co | 10.93 | +$176 |
| Deuel | Otter Tail Power Co | 10.93 | +$176 |
| Hamlin | Otter Tail Power Co | 10.93 | +$176 |
| Kingsbury | Otter Tail Power Co | 10.93 | +$176 |
| Marshall | Otter Tail Power Co | 10.93 | +$176 |
Multiple utilities in one county means adjoining territories, not household choice — you cannot switch wires companies. Showing the 8 highest-premium counties of 27 served.
Rate trend and size
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average price, ¢/kWh | 11.26 | 12.56 | +11.5% |
| Residential customers | 51,261 | 51,467 | +0.4% |
Ownership: Investor Owned. Statewide context: South Dakota electricity rates.
Supply vs delivery on a NorthWestern Energy bill
South Dakota is a regulated retail market — NorthWestern Energy customers cannot choose a different supplier; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings. Official information: puc.sd.gov.
Counties served (SD, EIA-861 2024)
Aurora · Beadle · Bon Homme · Brown · Brule · Charles Mix · Clark · Codington · Davison · Day · Deuel · Douglas · Edmunds · Faulk · Hamlin · Hand · Hanson · Hughes · Hutchinson · Hyde · Jerauld · Kingsbury · Marshall · Sanborn · Spink · Turner · Yankton
Head-to-head comparisons
Questions people ask
- Is NorthWestern Energy more expensive than other South Dakota utilities?
- NorthWestern Energy customers paid an average 12.56 cents/kWh in 2024 — 4% below the South Dakota volume-weighted average of 13.02 cents (EIA-861, bundled residential service).
- Can I switch away from NorthWestern Energy?
- No — distribution territory is fixed by address and South Dakota has no residential supplier shopping. Rate changes go through the state utility commission (puc.sd.gov).
- How many customers does NorthWestern Energy have?
- 51,467 residential customers in South Dakota in 2024 across 27 counties, per its EIA-861 federal filing. Ownership type: investor-owned.