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ElectricityRatePerKWh

Electricity Rate in North Dakota (2026): 13.61c/kWh Average

The EIA residential electricity price in North Dakota is 13.61 cents per kWh as of May 2026, 4.83c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The North Dakota commercial rate is 7.38c/kWh and the industrial rate is 8.27c/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A).

Residential Rate
13.61¢
per kWh
vs US Avg
-26%
4.83c below
Avg Monthly Bill
$126
1069 kWh
Provider Choice
No
Regulated monopoly

North Dakota Electricity Rate: What You Need to Know

North Dakota electricity averages 13.61 cents per kWh for residential customers as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 4.83c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh. The average monthly bill for North Dakota households is $126 based on typical usage of 1069 kWh.

North Dakota has some of the cheapest residential electricity in the United States - 13.61c/kWh (May 2026), consistently among the handful of lowest-priced states alongside Idaho, Utah, and Nebraska, and well below the national average of 18.44c. Two things keep it that low: abundant mine-mouth lignite coal and a fast-growing wind fleet. North Dakota holds the largest US lignite reserves, and its power plants are built next to the mines, so there is almost no fuel-transport cost - coal still generates a little over half of the state's electricity, with wind supplying around 35% and climbing, natural gas about 6%, and hydro from the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River about 5%. The market is regulated, with no residential retail choice. Generation-and-transmission cooperatives dominate: Basin Electric and Minnkota Power wholesale electricity to dozens of local distribution co-ops, while Otter Tail Power, Xcel Energy, and Montana-Dakota Utilities serve other areas as regulated utilities. Low population density paired with cold winters and heavy electric-heating load gives North Dakota one of the highest average monthly consumption figures in the country (around 1,069 kWh), but the rock-bottom per-kWh price still keeps the typical bill near $126.

Generation mix: Coal 54%, wind 35%, natural gas 6%, hydro 5%. The fuel mix is a primary driver of electricity rates - states with abundant hydro or nuclear tend to have lower rates, while states dependent on imported petroleum (Hawaii) or natural gas pay more.

Year-over-year change: North Dakota rates rose 3.9% year-over-year as of May 2026. This compares to the US average increase of 6.2% over the same period.

Regulated: You Cannot Switch Electricity Suppliers

Otter Tail Power / Basin Electric operates as the regulated utility in North Dakota. Retail electricity choice is not available for residential customers. Options for reducing your bill include: time-of-use rate optimization, energy efficiency upgrades, and rooftop solar.

Your North Dakota Electricity Bill Components

Energy charge (1069 kWh x 13.61c)$145.49
Fixed customer charge (estimated)~$10.00
Estimated monthly total$155.49
North Dakota Rate by Sector - May 2026
Residential (US 18.44c)13.61c
Commercial (US 13.54c)7.38c
Industrial (US 8.71c)8.27c
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A.
Dominant Utility
Otter Tail Power / Basin Electric
Adjacent States
Minnesota16.95c
South Dakota15.73c
Montana14.67c
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North Dakota Electricity: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the electricity rate in North Dakota in 2026?+
The average residential electricity rate in North Dakota is 13.61 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly. This is 4.83c below the US average of 18.44c/kWh (-26%). The average monthly electricity bill in North Dakota is approximately $126 based on 1069 kWh typical monthly usage.
What is the commercial electricity rate in North Dakota?+
The average commercial electricity rate in North Dakota is 7.38 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly (Table 5.6.A). That compares with the US commercial average of 13.54c/kWh. Commercial rates apply to businesses, offices, schools, and retail. They are usually lower per kWh than residential rates, but a commercial bill can still be much larger because of higher volume and demand charges.
What is the industrial electricity rate in North Dakota?+
The average industrial electricity rate in North Dakota is 8.27 cents per kWh as of May 2026, according to the EIA Electric Power Monthly (Table 5.6.A), versus a US industrial average of 8.71c/kWh. Industrial customers such as factories, manufacturers, and large facilities pay the lowest per-kWh price of the three EIA sectors because they buy power at high volume, often at higher voltage, under demand-based rate structures.
Can I switch electricity providers in North Dakota?+
No - North Dakota operates a regulated electricity market. Otter Tail Power / Basin Electric serves as the regulated monopoly utility. Customers cannot switch electricity generation suppliers. Options for reducing bills include time-of-use rate optimization (where available), energy efficiency upgrades, and solar installation.
What is the average monthly electricity bill in North Dakota?+
The average North Dakota household uses approximately 1069 kWh per month. At 13.61c/kWh plus approximately $10 in fixed charges, the average monthly bill is $126. This varies by season (higher in summer for cooling-dominant states like Florida, higher in winter for heating-dominant states).
What is the primary electricity source in North Dakota?+
North Dakota's generation mix is primarily Coal 54%, wind 35%, natural gas 6%, hydro 5%. This fuel mix is a key factor in the state's electricity rate - states relying on hydro or nuclear typically have lower rates, while states heavily dependent on natural gas or petroleum (like Hawaii) face higher costs.
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