Oahe Electric Cooperative
Oahe Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution utility serving approximately 2,106 member-owners across 1,226 miles of power line in rural Hughes and Sully counties, central South Dakota, operating on a cost-of-service model with capital credits, load management, and renewable energy programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersBlunt, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Oahe Electric Cooperative does
Oahe Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative that delivers electricity to approximately 2,106 member-owners across 1,226 miles of power line in rural Hughes and Sully counties in central South Dakota. The cooperative acquires wholesale power from East River Electric Power Cooperative, which is connected to the Western Area Power System (WAPA) transmission grid, and distributes it directly to its members under a regulated, exclusive service territory franchise.
The cooperative's core technology stack comprises conventional distribution infrastructure — power lines, substations, and transformers — augmented by the SmartHub customer information platform (web and mobile) for account management, bill payment, usage tracking, and paperless billing. Operational technology includes a Load Management Program that remotely cycles member water heaters, irrigation systems, and air conditioning during peak demand windows to control wholesale power costs, as well as programs for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) sourced from local wind farms and a Distributed Generation interconnection framework supporting member-owned wind, solar, and anaerobic digester installations. The cooperative is affiliated with the Touchstone Energy national network of 700+ electric cooperatives and participates in shared programs including the Co-op Connections Card discount platform, REED economic development revolving loan fund, and Basin Electric joint scholarships.
Oahe Electric operates on a cost-of-service model, charging members usage-based rates (9 cents/kWh standard; 6.0 cents/kWh with load-managed heating/cooling) and offering equipment rebates for electric heating, water heaters, commercial lighting, and irrigation/grain dryer management. Excess revenue is allocated to members as capital credits, with $3,313,350 returned over the past 10 years. Approximately 18 staff (including CEO, CFO, COO, line crew, and member-services roles) operate from a single headquarters in Blunt, South Dakota. The cooperative's $11.8M USDA loan in August 2023 signals ongoing infrastructure capital investment consistent with maintaining and hardening the existing distribution footprint.
Oahe Electric Cooperative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Oahe Electric Cooperative
- Legal name
- Oahe Electric Cooperative, Inc.
- Website
- https://oaheelectric.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Oahe Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution utility serving approximately 2,106 member-owners across 1,226 miles of power line in rural Hughes and Sully counties, central South Dakota, operating on a cost-of-service model with capital credits, load management, and renewable energy programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Oahe Electric Cooperative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Utility Distribution
- NAICS
- Electric Power Distribution (221122)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Distribution Network O&M (MV/LV Lines, Switchgear, Transformers) (EUAEAGAE)
Keywords
Where Oahe Electric Cooperative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Blunt
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Oahe Electric Cooperative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Electric Distribution Service: Oahe Electric generates revenue through electricity distribution fees charged to member-owners. Members pay for electricity consumed at rates that reflect the cooperative's cost of service, including power supply, infrastructure maintenance, and operational expenses. The cooperative operates on a not-for-profit basis, returning excess revenues to members as capital credits.
- Capital Credits: As a cooperative, Oahe Electric operates on a cost-of-service basis. Excess revenue beyond operating costs is allocated to members as capital credits, which are returned at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Over the past 10 years, the cooperative has returned $3,313,350 in capital credits to members.
- Operation Round Up Program: Voluntary community benefit program where participating members round up their electric bills to the nearest whole dollar. The difference (maximum $0.99/month, $11.88/year) is used for charitable and educational purposes benefiting the local community.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Monthly | Standard Electric Rate |
| Usage-based | One time/ perpetual license | Electric Heating Rebates |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Water Heater Rebates |
| Usage-based | One time/ perpetual license | Commercial Lighting Rebates |
| Usage-based | One time/ perpetual license | Irrigation/Grain Dryer Management |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Renewable Energy Credits (REC) |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Distributed Generation - PURPA Rate |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Oahe Electric Cooperative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Oahe Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative that delivers electricity to approximately 2,106 member-owners across rural Hughes and Sully counties in central South Dakota through 1,226 miles of power line infrastructure. The cooperative offers usage-based electric service, energy efficiency rebates, load management programs, renewable energy credits, distributed generation interconnection, and member benefit programs including capital credits refunds, community giving, and education initiatives.
Product overview
Oahe Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric utility serving rural Hughes and Sully counties in central South Dakota through 1,226 miles of power line to 2,106 member-owners. The cooperative operates as a single integrated electric service provider with member benefit programs including the SmartHub online/mobile account management platform for bill payment and usage tracking, Capital Credits Program for member equity refunds, Load Management Program for peak demand optimization, and various incentive and rebate programs for energy-efficient equipment. The cooperative offers Renewable Energy Credits enabling up to 100% renewable power, Distributed Generation Program for consumer-owned generation interconnection, and community programs including Operation Round Up charitable giving, scholarship awards, and Co-ops in the Classroom education. Additional services include SD One Call underground utility locating, Co-op Connections Card discount program, and participation in REED economic development financing. The cooperative is a member of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives national network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Electric Distribution Service Primary electricity distribution service delivering power to residential, agricultural, and commercial member-owners across rural Hughes and Sully counties in central South Dakota. Standard rate is 9 cents per kWh, with a reduced rate of 6.0 cents per kWh available for heating/cooling with load management.
- SmartHub Account Management Platform Online and mobile account management service for member-owners enabling bill payment, billing history viewing, electricity usage trending, paperless billing preferences, and account management via web and iOS/Android mobile applications.
- Load Management Program
- Renewable Energy Credits (REC) Program
- Distributed Generation Interconnection Program
- Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Companies that use Oahe Electric Cooperative
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Oahe Electric Cooperative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Oahe Electric Cooperative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Touchstone Energy CooperativescoreNational network of electric cooperatives across 46 states providing resources, brand identity, and partnerships. Oahe Electric operates under the Touchstone Energy brand, which represents the largest electric utility network in the nation with 700+ local systems serving 30.5 million member-owners.
- East River Electric Power CooperativecoreOahe Electric's power and transmission service provider. East River operates the electrical transmission system connected to Oahe Electric's distribution system, which in turn connects to Western Area Power System (WAPA). East River also provides administrative services for REED economic development fund and facilitates the Co-ops in the Classroom education program.
- Basin Electric Power CooperativeminorJoint scholarship partner offering a $2,000 scholarship in conjunction with Oahe Electric's own $1,000 scholarship program for students of member consumers.
- Rural Electric Economic Development, Inc. (REED)minorNon-profit revolving loan fund created to provide financing for economic development in rural communities. Oahe Electric participates as one of seventeen member cooperatives governing over $11 million in funds. REED has made 190 zero-percent loans totaling over $41.8 million, creating 6,015 jobs and $308 million in capital investment.
- Local Vendors (Co-op Connections Program)minorParticipating local businesses offering discounts to Oahe Electric members through the Co-op Connections Card program. Vendors include Graham Tire Company, Lamb Motor Company, Napa Auto Parts, branding establishments, fitness centers, real estate services, furniture stores, plumbing services, and retail outlets in Pierre, Onida, and Fort Pierre, SD.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Oahe Electric Cooperative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- East River Electric Power Cooperative: Generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Madison, SD that supplies wholesale power to Oahe Electric and 20+ other distribution cooperatives in the region. Directly comparable as a South Dakota cooperative with similar member-owned structure and rural service footprint.
- FEM Electric Association: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving rural southeastern South Dakota. Closely comparable to Oahe Electric in scale, cooperative structure, Touchstone Energy affiliation, and rural agricultural member base.
- Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative: Touchstone Energy distribution cooperative serving rural northeastern South Dakota. Comparable to Oahe Electric in member-owned cooperative structure, rural service territory, and similar member programs (capital credits, load management, RECs).
- Central Electric Cooperative: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Mitchell, SD. Directly comparable cooperative serving rural South Dakota members with similar infrastructure, member programs, and regulatory framework.
- Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative: Touchstone Energy distribution cooperative serving Watertown and surrounding rural areas in eastern South Dakota. Comparable to Oahe Electric in cooperative structure, rural distribution model, and member service offerings.
- Grand Electric Cooperative: Member-owned distribution cooperative serving rural northwestern South Dakota. Comparable in cooperative model, rural service territory, scale, and member-facing programs including capital credits and load management.
- Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association: Rural electric distribution cooperative serving southeast South Dakota. Comparable to Oahe Electric in Touchstone Energy affiliation, rural member base, and cooperative governance structure.
Broad incumbents
- Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Large generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Bismarck, ND, serving member cooperatives across the Upper Midwest. Comparable as a cooperative partner and generation provider to Oahe Electric's distribution cooperative model.
- Xcel Energy: Large investor-owned utility serving customers across South Dakota and multiple states. Comparable in providing electric distribution service in South Dakota, but broader portfolio, larger scale, and investor-owned rather than cooperative model.
Regional players
- NorthWestern Energy: Investor-owned utility serving electric and natural gas customers in South Dakota and neighboring states. Comparable as a regulated electric distribution provider in the same regional geography, though not a cooperative.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Oahe Electric Cooperative social profiles
Digital presenceOahe Electric Cooperative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oahe Electric Cooperative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Oahe Electric Cooperative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Oahe Electric Cooperative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Oahe Electric Cooperative
What does Oahe Electric Cooperative do?
Oahe Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative that delivers electricity to approximately 2,106 member-owners across rural Hughes and Sully counties in central South Dakota through 1,226 miles of power line infrastructure. The cooperative offers usage-based electric service, energy efficiency rebates, load management programs, renewable energy credits, distributed generation interconnection, and member benefit programs including capital credits refunds, community giving, and education initiatives.
Is Oahe Electric Cooperative a public or private company?
Oahe Electric Cooperative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Oahe Electric Cooperative founded?
Oahe Electric Cooperative was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Oahe Electric Cooperative based?
Oahe Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Blunt, United States, in the North America region.
How does Oahe Electric Cooperative make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Electric Distribution Service is the primary driver. The others are capital Credits and operation Round Up Program.
Who are Oahe Electric Cooperative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are East River Electric Power Cooperative, FEM Electric Association, Whetstone Valley Electric Cooperative, Central Electric Cooperative, Codington-Clark Electric Cooperative, Grand Electric Cooperative and Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association. Broad incumbents are Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Xcel Energy. NorthWestern Energy is listed as a regional player.
Does Oahe Electric Cooperative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oahe Electric Cooperative.
What industry is Oahe Electric Cooperative in?
Oahe Electric Cooperative's product category is Electric Utility Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADABAC, Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities), with a secondary code of EUAEAGAE, Distribution Network O&M (MV/LV Lines, Switchgear, Transformers). Its NAICS code is 221122 and its SIC code is 4911.