Prioritizing Safety
Safety remains Dakota Electric’s highest priority. In 2025, the cooperative strengthened its safety culture through expanded training, including first aid, fire extinguisher use and industry programs through the Minnesota Rural Electric Association. April Safety Week reinforced procedures for severe weather and personal threat response, while the Executive Safety Steering Team continued focusing on vehicle safety inspections and improving near-miss reporting.
During the year, Dakota Electric lineworkers received the “Lifeguard on Duty” award at the MREA Safety and Loss Control Conference for their heroic actions near Miesville, helping save a truck driver’s life following an electrical contact incident. Dakota Electric was also invited to join the NRECA “Excellent Coops” Safety Group, a national collaboration focused on advancing safety culture across electric cooperatives.
Strengthening Reliability
Dakota Electric continues investing in infrastructure to maintain a reliable electric system. In January 2026, the cooperative completed its 20-year cable replacement initiative, replacing all bare underground primary cable with durable jacketed cable to improve reliability and support future growth.
Substation improvements also continue, including progress on the Fischer Substation project to strengthen system resiliency and meet growing energy needs.
Financial Stewardship
Dakota Electric carefully manages financial resources to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity. Rising industry costs led the cooperative to file a general rate case with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on December 30, 2024, the first since 2019.
In 2025, parties reached a settlement agreement approved by the Commission in December, with final rates expected to take effect in 2026 following the compliance process. Dakota Electric continues to maintain strong financial oversight, as confirmed by another clean financial audit.
Enhancing Member Experience
Providing excellent service remains a priority. In 2025, Dakota Electric handled 128,388 member calls and continued connecting with members through community events and outreach.
The cooperative also prepared for the launch of MyDEA, the new member portal that went live in February 2026, offering expanded self-service tools for managing accounts, viewing energy use and making payments.
Load management programs delivered significant value in 2025, helping members save an estimated $17.4 million by reducing peak demand and lowering power supply costs.
Investing in the Future
Construction continues on Dakota Electric’s new Energy Center, with structural steel now complete for the office, warehouse, fleet storage and maintenance areas. Work on the roofing structure, exterior shell and metal panels is underway.
Once finished, the Energy Center will provide expanded space for operations, equipment and employees to support Dakota Electric’s growing membership.
