Basin Electric approves 2026 Load Forecast

At its January meeting, Basin Electric’s board of directors reviewed the performance of the 2025 Load Forecast and approved the 2026 Load Forecast.

The 2025 Load Forecast was impacted by three key areas:

• The loss of load at a large cryptocurrency facility and two ethanol facilities
• Softer economic conditions, particularly in lower oil prices, resulting in slower growth in the Bakken region
• Milder than average weather conditions

“Coming out of 2025, we see some of these influences playing into the 2026 forecast,” Missy Schell, load forecast analyst III at Basin Electric, said. “The change in economic conditions, softer oil prices, and slower growth in the Bakken have meant that the 2026 growth projections are lower than what we saw in 2025, but the forecast still shows significant growth for Basin Electric.”

The Large Load Commercial Program, implemented in June 2025, also affected load forecast calculations.

“The implementation of the Large Load Commercial Program provides loads of a certain size or type their own equitable planning path, allowing our team at Basin Electric to focus on more traditional load growth areas,” Schell said.

Work on the 2026 load forecast began in spring of 2025 with data collection and updates for the upcoming cycle. The load forecasting team then worked through the summer to update modeling, working with Basin Electric’s Class C members on a draft forecast. In the fall, the forecast was aggregated at the Basin Electric and Class A member levels before final review and submission to the board.

“Member collaboration is a critical component for the load forecast because they see firsthand what’s happening in their service territories and the communities they serve,” Schell said.

The load forecast is the primary tool used for power supply planning, financial forecasting, rate planning, and transmission planning.