Basin Electric experiences second largest member billing peak increase since 2014

Basin Electric experienced a new all-time high member billing peak in January 2024. This peak surpassed the previous all-time high peak in August 2023 by 429 megawatts (MW).

Elizabeth Erhardt, Basin Electric manager of Member Rates, said the peak demand of 5,130 MW surpassed the previous winter season peak of 4,679 MW in December 2022, as well as the previous summer peak of 4,701 MW in August 2023.

Additionally, this 2024 billing peak is the second largest increase to have occurred between two all-time high peaks. The largest increase between two all-time high peaks took place between 2013 and 2014.

Erhardt said the increase is largely due to the winter storms that swept over Basin Electric’s service territory along with continued increased load growth throughout the membership.

Data pertaining to all-time high member billing peaks is recorded back through the beginning of the 1970s.