Nebraska Public Power District Enters Growth Phase to Meet Energy Demand

Demand for electricity is higher than ever, and the need for stable electricity will just keep growing. Experts believe demand will increase by 39% by 2035, leaving utility providers across the United States working to meet customer needs. The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) already has plans in place to keep up with growing demand from both residents and companies.

“We stand out because of our reliability and affordability,” says Nicole Sedlacek, Economic Development Manager for NPPD. “We’re often ranked the most or second-most reliable electric system in the United States, while offering some of the lowest cost utilities in the country.”

Currently, Nebraska ranks second in the nation for residential rates, averaging 13.25 (¢/kWh), and third in the country for commercial rates, averaging 8.82 (¢/kWh). This makes Nebraska both an affordable place to live and do business from a utility standpoint.

NPPD is one of the electricity providers supporting Phelps County. Keep reading to see how it plans to meet and exceed the needs of its 95,000 customer accounts and more than 500,000 additional Nebraskans through wholesale power agreements.

NPPD Produces Its Own Power

NPPD is a publicly-owned utility, which means there are no shareholders and the firm is 100% owned by its Nebraska customers. It is governed by a publicly elected board of directors and serves all or part of 84 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. NPPD also produces all of its own power, with 31 generating facilities in the state and plans for more.

“We’re currently in a build cycle because of increased energy demand,” says Sedlacek. “We plan to open a natural gas-powered generation station in 2029, which will have the capacity to serve 646,500 residential homes at full capacity. There is an additional facility coming online in 2032.”

The new Princeton Road Station is located in Hallam, Nebraska, about two and a half hours from Phelps County.

NPPD invests in various power sources and generates electricity from coal, nuclear, natural gas, oil, solar, and wind. This ensures there is a diverse portfolio to pull energy from different sources when needed, while also taking advantage of market conditions. By tracking market prices, NPPD can focus on more affordable generation sources, keeping costs down for customers.

“We continue to maximize all of our generation resources,” says Sedlacek. “This also helps us move toward more carbon-free generation.” 

Automation and Investment Are Driving Demand 

Several factors are contributing to the increase in energy demand across Nebraska and the United States as a whole. Increased automation requires more power, so existing manufacturers and other businesses are seeing their energy usage rise. This affects all kinds of sectors, ranging from agricultural processing to ethanol production.

The investment in artificial intelligence and the need for data centers are also contributing to increased energy demand. NPPD is working to educate consumers on its plans to scale energy production and how large loads interact with the grid as a whole.  

“There are valid concerns about what large loads could do to the grid and to customer rates,” says Sedlacek. “However, because our shareholders are our customers, keeping rates low is our guiding principle. We are owned by our rate payers.” 

NPPD Works Closely With Economic Development Teams

Electricity is increasingly playing a role in where companies operate, with more businesses moving to states with affordable energy costs and reliable infrastructure. NPPD works hard to keep costs low while also allocating capital to support reliability. This is why a community like Phelps County is a good choice for businesses looking to nearshore or relocate.

NPPD works alongside economic development teams like the Phelps County Development Corporation (PCDC) and gets involved early with new projects. This gives companies and investors peace of mind that a parcel of land will have the right connectivity to meet their electric needs.  

“We’re a partner for all of our customers when it comes to economic development,” says Sedlacek. “We work with communities like Holdrege to support their growth efforts and goals.”

NPPD also provides data and insights to companies considering Nebraska communities. This helps them understand the labor force, logistics, and infrastructure of the regions they are interested in. 

Learn About Other Partners Supporting Phelps County 

Economic development is a team sport, and several organizations and departments support PCDC to bring new business opportunities to the region. Meet the team working alongside PCDC and the opportunities available here. Together, we make it easy for new businesses to choose Phelps County and become part of the community. Call us today and tell us about your project. We’ll bring in NPPD and any other partner that makes sense to help you reach your goals.

Phelps County Development Corporation has the tools, information, and skills to assist you with relocation for your business or family. PCDC is ready to help with housing and project advocacy, including permitting, timely utilities, and financial assistance. Contact PCDC at (308) 995-4148 or pcdc@phelpscountyne.com today. To further explore “Why Phelps,” download the community guide.

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