Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Providing Power to Bismarck and the Northern Plains

Basin Electric Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative. Headquartered right here in Bismarck, North Dakota, it serves as a key power provider for the region. The organization focuses on delivering reliable electricity to its member-owners across a nine-state area, including right here at home. This means the people of Bismarck benefit from a power source that answers directly to the communities it serves.

Business Overview

As a generation and transmission cooperative, Basin Electric’s primary role is to produce electricity and deliver it to local distribution cooperatives. While they do not handle direct-to-home electrical wiring or emergency repairs, their work is the backbone of the power that flows into homes and businesses in Bismarck ND. Their operations ensure that local electric cooperatives have a steady, reliable supply of power to distribute to their members. The cooperative employs a dedicated team focused on power generation, transmission, and supporting member cooperatives.

Key Services

Basin Electric provides wholesale electricity and a suite of support services to its member cooperatives. This includes:

• Electricity Generation: Operating a diverse mix of power plants using natural gas, coal, and a significant amount of wind energy.
• Transmission: Maintaining and operating the high-voltage power lines that carry electricity across the region.
• Member Cooperative Support: Offering services like power supply planning, rate design assistance, and operational support to local electric co-ops.
• Energy Management: Balancing the power grid to maintain stability and reliability for end consumers.

Areas Served

From its Bismarck ND headquarters, Basin Electric’s service area covers a wide swath of the Northern Plains. This includes communities like Mandan, Hazen, Beulah, Washburn, New Salem, Linton, and Harvey. Their extensive network and deep understanding of the local landscape—from the climate's demands on heating and cooling to the infrastructure needs of rural and urban areas—make them a critical part of the region's energy framework.

Company History

Basin Electric was formed in 1961 by rural electric cooperatives seeking a reliable, member-owned power supply. It grew from a small operation into one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the nation. A key part of its growth has been adapting to the energy landscape, notably by becoming a major wind power producer. This history of community-focused growth is rooted in the cooperative principles of democratic member control and concern for community.

Leadership

The cooperative is governed by a board of directors elected from its member cooperatives. This structure ensures leadership is directly accountable to the local communities they represent. Management and employees are deeply involved in the industry and regional initiatives, with many living and working in the Bismarck area. Their local presence reinforces a commitment to the economic and social well-being of North Dakota.

Specialties & Highlights

Several factors set Basin Electric apart:

• Diverse Energy Mix: They operate one of the largest cooperative-owned wind fleets in the U.S., with over 1,760 megawatts of capacity, alongside traditional sources for reliability.
• Environmental Stewardship: The cooperative has invested more than $1.9 billion in emissions control technology, demonstrating a long-term commitment to clean power.
• Community Commitment: As a not-for-profit, earnings are returned to member-owners or reinvested in the system, keeping rates stable and supporting local projects.
• Reliability Focus: Their investments in grid stability and diverse generation help keep the lights on during North Dakota's harsh winters and hot summers.

Why the Region Chooses Basin Electric

For communities across North Dakota, Basin Electric Power Cooperative in Bismarck ND represents more than just a power plant. It represents local control, environmental responsibility, and proven reliability. Homeowners and businesses may not call them for a tripped breaker, but they depend on the consistent, affordable electricity Basin Electric supplies to their local cooperative. Their decades of service, major investments in clean energy, and not-for-profit model build a trusted partnership with the region they call home.