# North Dakota Electricity Rate Changes: What Changed in 2026 and What's Next

> North Dakota regulators approved a 12.92% residential increase for Xcel Energy in February 2026, about $11.94 a month. Montana-Dakota Utilities began charging a 12.3% interim increase, about $12.90 a month, around September 1.

- URL: https://solarexaminer.com/posts/north-dakota-electricity-rate-changes-2026/
- Site: Solar Examiner (https://solarexaminer.com/)
- Category: Electric Rates
- Published: 2026-10-04
- Last verified: 2026-10-04
- Author: Tehseen Arbab

## Key takeaways

- We found no North Dakota rate change dated October 1, 2026, but one took effect a month earlier.
- Montana-Dakota Utilities began an interim increase of 12.3%, about $12.90 a month for residential customers, after regulators approved it on August 26, 2026.
- Its full request is 14.5%, or $34.5 million a year. Hearings are not expected until 2027.
- Xcel Energy's increase was approved on February 5, 2026: 12.92% for residential customers, about $11.94 a month in total.



North Dakota did not have a rate change on October 1, 2026. The most recent change came about a month before, when Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) started charging interim rates.

This article covers Xcel Energy (about 97,000 North Dakota customers) and MDU. It does not cover Otter Tail Power or the electric cooperatives.

## Quick Summary

| Utility | Status | Change | Residential impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xcel Energy | Approved Feb. 5, 2026 | 10.37% overall, 12.92% residential | $11.94 a month in total |
| MDU, interim | Approved Aug. 26, 2026 | 12.3% | About $12.90 a month |
| MDU, full request | Pending; hearings likely 2027 | 14.5% ($34.5 million) | Not stated |

## Xcel Energy

The North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a settlement on February 5, 2026.

- **Requested:** 19.34% overall and more than 24% for residential customers.
- **Approved:** 10.37% overall and 12.92% for residential customers.
- **Bills:** interim rates had already added $11.36 a month. The final order added $0.58, for $11.94 in total.
- **Excluded:** the cost of 23 facilities, mostly wind and solar projects in Minnesota.

**Our math:** $11.36 + $0.58 = $11.94.

## Montana-Dakota Utilities

MDU filed on June 30, 2026 for a 14.5% increase, $34.5 million a year (PSC case 26-0241).

- **Interim rates:** 12.3%, worth $26.3 million a year, approved August 26 and effective the following Tuesday.
- **Bills:** about $12.90 a month for residential customers.
- **What it applies to:** the basic service charge, the demand charge and the energy charge. It does not apply to riders.
- **Timeline:** hearings will likely not be held until 2027.

The news report we used did not say whether the interim increase is refundable if final rates come in lower. Check MDU's customer notice.

## What This Means for Homeowners With Solar

We did not verify North Dakota's current net metering or export credit rules for this article, so we give no export rates here. Ask your utility for its current solar tariff, and check how exported energy is credited before sizing a system. Fixed monthly charges are not reduced by solar.

Our [solar payback guide](/posts/solar-payback-period-without-federal-tax-credit/) shows how the retail rate and the export credit change the math.

## What to Check on Your Bill

1. MDU customers: an interim rate line starting with September bills.
2. The basic service charge.
3. Fuel and transmission riders.

For help sorting the lines on your bill, see our guide to [reading your electric bill](/posts/how-to-read-your-electric-bill/).

## Limitations

Figures come from the North Dakota Monitor. We did not open PSC orders. We did not confirm whether MDU's interim rates are subject to refund.

## Sources

- [North Dakota Monitor, "North Dakota approves Xcel electricity rate increase," Feb. 5, 2026](https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/02/05/north-dakota-approves-xcel-electricity-rate-increase/)
- [North Dakota Monitor, "North Dakota regulators approve short-term electric rate increase for MDU," Aug. 26, 2026](https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/08/26/north-dakota-regulators-approve-short-term-electric-rate-increase-for-mdu/)
- [Montana-Dakota Utilities, rate cases](https://www.montana-dakota.com/rates-services/rate-cases/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Did North Dakota electric rates change on October 1, 2026?

We found no change on that date. Montana-Dakota Utilities' interim increase took effect about a month earlier, and Xcel Energy's rates were set in February 2026.

### Why was the MDU interim increase approved without a hearing?

The North Dakota Monitor reported that state law requires the Public Service Commission to approve interim rate requests within 60 days, without a public hearing.

### How much did Xcel Energy rates rise in North Dakota?

12.92% for residential customers. That is $11.94 a month in total: $11.36 from interim rates already in place plus $0.58 more under the final order.


Image credit: Photo by Lara John on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/rainbow-over-a-suburban-neighborhood-with-solar-panels-VNIjztzKF_U?utm_source=solarexaminer&utm_medium=referral)