SAIDI
Average minutes of non-momentary electric interruption experienced by a customer over the year.
EIA reliability data · latest published state table
How long are power outages in each state?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration publishes utility reliability metrics through Form EIA-861. This page turns the latest 2024 state table into a homeowner-friendly benchmark while preserving the distinction between ordinary reliability and years dominated by major storms or other major events.
SAIFI
Average number of non-momentary interruptions a customer experienced during the year.
CAIDI
Average restoration time, in minutes, for customers who experienced an interruption.
2024 all-event SAIDI
States with the highest reported outage minutes when major events are included
This is a ranking of one EIA reliability metric for one year—not a claim that these are permanently the “worst grids.” Major hurricanes, winter storms, wildfire events and other unusual conditions can dominate a single year's all-event SAIDI.
| Rank | State | SAIDI all events | SAIFI | CAIDI | SAIDI without major events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Carolina | 3,136.5 min | 2.365 | 1,326.3 min | 117.8 min |
| 2 | Maine | 1,748.6 min | 3.636 | 480.9 min | 274 min |
| 3 | North Carolina | 1,441 min | 1.812 | 795 min | 141.4 min |
| 4 | Florida | 1,321.5 min | 1.770 | 746.6 min | 66.4 min |
| 5 | Texas | 1,270.6 min | 2.114 | 600.9 min | 129.4 min |
| 6 | Georgia | 1,229.1 min | 2.122 | 579.2 min | 212.3 min |
| 7 | West Virginia | 1,165.5 min | 2.832 | 411.5 min | 486.1 min |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 922.7 min | 2.021 | 456.6 min | 132.3 min |
| 9 | Louisiana | 727.5 min | 2.722 | 267.2 min | 206 min |
| 10 | Vermont | 696.7 min | 2.516 | 276.9 min | 275 min |
Why the second SAIDI column matters
Major-event years can completely change the picture.
Florida reported 1,321.5 all-event SAIDI minutes in 2024, but 66.4 minutes when major events were excluded. Texas reported 1,270.6 all-event minutes versus 129.4 without major events. Maine remained comparatively high even after major events were excluded at 274 minutes. For backup-power planning, both views are useful: ordinary reliability describes routine exposure, while all-event SAIDI captures the kind of severe year that often drives standby-generator demand.
Selected state benchmarks
States relevant to our current generator research
| State | SAIDI all events | SAIFI | CAIDI | SAIDI without major events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 219.9 min | 0.910 | 241.7 min | 72.0 min |
| Pennsylvania | 336.1 min | 1.353 | 248.3 min | 131.0 min |
| Illinois | 156.9 min | 0.852 | 184.0 min | 59.4 min |
| California | 279.6 min | 1.345 | 208.0 min | 158.2 min |
| Michigan | 470.4 min | 1.356 | 346.8 min | 160.1 min |
| Ohio | 510.5 min | 1.298 | 393.4 min | 133.2 min |
| Oregon | 591.0 min | 1.346 | 439.1 min | 130.9 min |
| Washington | 623.5 min | 1.752 | 355.9 min | 158.6 min |
Methodology & source
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861
Values on this page come from EIA Electric Power Annual Table 11.3, “Reliability Metrics Using Any Method of U.S. Distribution System by State, 2024 and 2023.” We use the 2024 state values and preserve EIA's separate all-events and without-major-events fields.
EIA notes that “any method” combines utilities reporting under IEEE reliability methods with utilities using other methods. EIA also notes that reported-customer coverage varies by state and can exceed 100% because the numerator and denominator come from different reporting schedules.
This page is a research summary, not an electrical-system quality score and not a forecast of future outages.
What does backup power cost?
Separate generator price from transfer equipment, fuel, electrical, site and permit costs.
What size generator?
Build a load plan from actual appliances and motor-starting needs instead of state outage statistics.
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