Irrigation OVerview
Electrical supply: Looking out for you
Dawson Public Power District customers trust that electricity is available and dependable. But what about the headlines predicting energy shortfalls? “First, you need to know that there are different levels of entities who are working to ensure electrical capacity and...
Irrigation rates have not changed since 2021
At their December meeting, Dawson PPD’s board affirmed that there will be no changes to the irrigation rate for the 2024 season. The rates have remained stable since 2021. The District will conduct a rate study later this year. The goal of the study is to ensure that...
Service upgrade policy changes
Starting in January 2024, Dawson PPD will charge to increase the size of an existing electric service. The value of the retired equipment will be credited toward the cost of new equipment. Increasing the size of a motor on an irrigation service, adding a swing arm to...
Irrigation Load Management Program
Dawson PPD offers a load management program for irrigation customers. It allows these customers to choose their electric rate by selecting a level of control that suits their needs. Control options range from “no control” to a few days of control up to a Six-Day + Sunday option. Rates decrease as the amount of control increases.
The program is administered by our wholesale power provider, Nebraska Public Power District. During times of high demand for power, NPPD will request that certain utilities control their customers’ electric usage. Dawson PPD uses devices connected to the District’s wireless mesh to turn off the power to wells. Wells can be controlled up to 12 hours per day, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
By shedding load, Dawson PPD helps NPPD use our energy resources wisely. By eliminating the need to buy power on the open market and postponing the need to build new power plants, we are able to keep rates low.
Dawson PPD started its load management program in 1982. Today, there are over 143,000 horsepower of irrigation wells enrolled in load management.
LOAD MANAGEMENT 101
The chart above shows Dawson PPD’s electric load in July 2022. The drop in load occurred during a load management control event, commonly called “Code Red.” The increase in load occurs when producers restart irrigation systems when the system is back in “Code Green” status.
Newsletters
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR IRRIGATORS
Downgrading load management control options
Ending participation in load management during the irrigation season
Reconnecting an irrigation service on standby
If you need to opt back in to text messages...
If you have previously signed up for Dawson PPD load management text messages, then cancelled your subscription via text, you must opt yourself back in. Text the word “cancel” to 833-916-3432 to opt back in to receiving load management text messages.
Location
75191 Rd. 433
PO Box 777
Lexington, NE 68850
Call
(308) 324-2386
(800) 752-8305
Hours
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.