2024: A breakthrough year for data centers and energy reliability
The year 2024 was a milestone for us at Black Hills Energy and for the data centers driving the digital world forward. As demand for data processing, cloud storage and AI computing surged, we delivered what matters most — resilient, reliable and cost-effective energy solutions.
Data centers continue to fuel the next wave of economic growth, and we are building the infrastructure and advancing the innovations needed to support these energy-intensive facilities. Our progress in 2024 strengthened our ability to serve high-demand industries while continuing to move forward with long-term sustainability goals.
Powering data centers with a sustainable purpose
The rapid expansion of data center operations depends on safe, reliable and cost-effective energy at scale. Along with delivering reliability, we are actively working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across our operations. Since 2005, we have lowered electric utility emissions by 38%, and we are moving toward our 40% reduction target by 2030 and our 70% reduction target by 2040.
Advancing innovation for the future
We are focused on creating energy solutions that support the future of data center operations. In 2024, we advanced carbon sequestration and coal-to-hydrogen conversion pilot programs at our Gillette, Wyo., facility. These projects explore opportunities to provide additional low-carbon energy sources for large-scale data processing.
Supporting communities and energy efficiency
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy production. In 2024, we provided more than $3.8 million in charitable giving and energy assistance to support the communities where we live and work. This included more than $550,000 in United Way contributions and $346,000 in energy assistance funding to help families with their energy needs.
We also provided more than $10 million in energy-efficiency rebates, helping customers save enough energy to power more than 1,500 homes with electricity and 246 homes with natural gas for an entire year. These programs help improve energy performance and support the reliability of the grid we all rely on.
In 2024, our total economic impact across our eight-state service territory reached $1.5 billion, reinforcing our role as a long-term partner in the communities we serve.
Powering what’s next
For data center operators, the need for reliable energy continues to grow. We are delivering energy solutions that help meet these needs while supporting the future of digital infrastructure.
Read our full 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report.