Your Power Supply
The cost to create and deliver electricity is composed of three general functions: generation, transmission and distribution. Dakota Electric Association is an electric distribution cooperative that purchases electricity from Great River Energy (GRE) a generation and transmission cooperative in Maple Grove, MN. Great River Energy is the second largest electric power supplier in Minnesota and one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the country.
How does electricity work?

1. Great River Energy’s generating sites produce electricity.

2. Great River Energy’s transmission lines carry large amounts of electricity from a generating site to a substation.

3. At a Dakota Electric substation, electricity is converted from transmission power to distribution power.

4. Dakota Electric’s distribution lines carry electricity to homes and businesses.
Where does your power come from?
Electricity Sources
For detailed information about the electricity Dakota Electric’s receives from Great River Energy, please visit their webpage on making electricity.
Renewables
Power Plants
Peaking Generation
Emergency Standby
Other
Related Links
Great River Energy’s Service Area

GRE Contract Extension
During the most recent board meeting, Great River Energy’s CEO, David Saggau presented a request for a 10-year extension to Dakota Electric’s wholesale power supply contract, aiming to extend it from 2045 to 2055. The purpose behind this extension is to grant Great River Energy the flexibility to:
- Pursue long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPA’s) for renewable energy sources and other carbon-free generation options.
- Issue long-term debt to support their strategic initiatives.
- Enable Great River Energy and member cooperatives to actively seek state and federal grant funding opportunities.
Great River Energy has consistently provided Dakota Electric and its members with a reliable and cost-competitive resource portfolio that progressively shifts towards lower carbon-emitting resources, positioning both organizations well for the future.
The Dakota Electric board may take action on this request during their meeting on August 24. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this request and the potential actions, please feel free to submit them using the form provided below. A Dakota Electric staff member will respond to your queries promptly.