This paper examines the regional differences in the irrigation demand for electricity. The analysis is based upon the Rural Electric Cooperatives' statistics on the sale of power for irrigation. A simultaneous‐equation system is developed to focus on both the short‐run utilization of electricity in irrigation and the long‐run determination of the number of irrigators using electricity. The structural equations are estimated using pooled, state‐level data for the period 1969–79. In light of the model's results, the impacts of changes in relative energy prices on irrigation are examined.