Renewable energy in South Dakota

South Dakota is among the states with the highest percentage of electricity generation from renewable resources, typically over 70 percent.

[2] As of December, 2011, South Dakota had 15 ethanol plants with a combined production capacity of over 1 billion U.S. gallons (3.8 million cubic meters) annually.

[12][13] Estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy, EERE indicate that over 800,000 MW of wind capacity could be installed in South Dakota.

[15] The capacity factor of South Dakota's wind turbine fleet reached 42.9 percent in 2012, this was the highest reported percentage in the country.

[20] South Dakota legislation enacted a voluntary goal of 10% electrical generation from renewable energy sources by 2015.

Big Bend Dam, Missouri River, South Dakota, USA
South Dakota Electricity Generation Sources
About 30 percent of South Dakota's electricity generation is from wind. The state was the first to achieve the 20% mark for full year generation.