How reliable is NorthWestern Energy - (SD)?

NorthWestern Energy - (SD) customers averaged 1.3 hours without power in 2024 (SAIDI), which is about average and better than the US average, about the same as the South Dakota median (1.4 h), per official US EIA data.

Where does NorthWestern Energy - (SD) rank among US electric utilities?

By official EIA SAIDI, NorthWestern Energy - (SD) is #48 of 468 US utilities by reliability that report reliability and serve at least three counties, #1 being the most reliable. Overall it is better than the US average.

How many customers does NorthWestern Energy - (SD) serve?

NorthWestern Energy - (SD) serves 27 counties across South Dakota, per its EIA-861 service territory filing.

Where does NorthWestern Energy - (SD) provide power?

NorthWestern Energy - (SD) operates in South Dakota. The full list of counties served is below, each linked to its live outage status.

NorthWestern Energy - (SD): Outages & Reliability

As of October 7, 2026 09:00 UTC, about 1 NorthWestern Energy - (SD) customers are without power in 1 county.

NorthWestern Energy - (SD) is an investor owned utility serving 27 counties in South Dakota. In 2024, its customers went an average of 1.3 hours without power (SAIDI), across about 0.7 interruptions each. That ranks it #48 of 468 US utilities by reliability, where #1 is the most reliable. Its outage duration is better than the US average and about the same as the South Dakota median (1.4 h).

SCATTERED OUTAGES · ON ITS NETWORKLive · total only

NorthWestern Energy - (SD) customers out in 1 county

Official reliability (EIA 2024)

US EIA

1.3 hrs

SAIDI / customer / yr

0.7

SAIFI / yr

1.8 hrs

CAIDI / outage

better than the US average (US 11.0h)

Ranks #48 of 468 US utilities by reliability (#1 = most reliable) · about the same as the South Dakota median (1.4 h).

Residential price12.6¢/kWhaverage, US EIA 2024energy trends →

Reliability over time

Official EIA SAIDI, hours without power per customer per year (IEEE, incl. major events). Over this period NorthWestern Energy - (SD)’s reliability has been improving (lower is better).

Outage trend · NorthWestern Energy - (SD)

1customers out · peak 13

Data as of Oct 7, 2026 09:00 UTC

Times in EDT. Shaded stretches had no reading.

Counties served by NorthWestern Energy - (SD) (27)

Service territory reported to EIA-861; each links to live outage status and history.

NorthWestern Energy - (SD): FAQ

How reliable is NorthWestern Energy - (SD)?: NorthWestern Energy - (SD) customers averaged 1.3 hours without power in 2024 (SAIDI), which is about average and better than the US average, about the same as the South Dakota median (1.4 h), per official US EIA data.
Where does NorthWestern Energy - (SD) rank among US electric utilities?: By official EIA SAIDI, NorthWestern Energy - (SD) is #48 of 468 US utilities by reliability that report reliability and serve at least three counties, #1 being the most reliable. Overall it is better than the US average.
How many customers does NorthWestern Energy - (SD) serve?: NorthWestern Energy - (SD) serves 27 counties across South Dakota, per its EIA-861 service territory filing.
Where does NorthWestern Energy - (SD) provide power?: NorthWestern Energy - (SD) operates in South Dakota. The full list of counties served is below, each linked to its live outage status.

Reliability metrics (SAIDI/SAIFI) and service territory from the US EIA Form 861. SAIDI/SAIFI are IEEE-standard, including major event days. Primary state: South Dakota.

Data from EIA Form 861 (utility reliability) and DOE/ORNL ODIN, every source we read. Live data as of October 7, 2026 09:00 UTC.