List of power stations in Montana

Sources of Montana utility-scale electricity generation in gigawatt-hours, full-year 2025:[1]
  1. Coal: 10,024 (35.2%)
  2. Hydroelectric: 9,791 (34.4%)
  3. Wind: 6,252 (21.9%)
  4. Natural gas: 1,319 (4.63%)
  5. Petroleum: 468 (1.64%)
  6. Solar: 348 (1.22%)
  7. Biomass: 38 (0.13%)
  8. Other: 261 (0.92%)

This is a list of electricity-generating power stations in the U.S. state of Montana, sorted by type and name. In 2023, Montana had a total summer capacity of 7.2 GW through all of its power plants, and a net generation of 26,873 GWh.[2] In 2025, the electrical energy generation mix was 35.2% coal, 34.4% hydroelectric, 21.9% wind, 4.6% natural gas, 1.6% petroleum, 1.2% solar, 0.1% biomass, and 0.9% other. Small-scale solar, including customer-owned photovoltaic panels, delivered and additional 148 GWh to the state's electrical grid in 2025.[1]

During 2019, Montana exported about one-half of the electricity generated by its power plants to other states. Montana has the largest recoverable deposits of coal in the nation, accounting for 30% of U.S. reserves. In recent years three-quarters of the coal mined in Montana has been exported, with over one-third going to Asia via western Canada.[3]

Montana power grid
Montana electricity generation by type

Nuclear power stations

Montana had no utility-scale plants that used fissile material as a fuel in 2022.[1]

Fossil-fuel power stations

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration serves as a general reference.[4]

Coal

A useful map[5] of coal generation plants is provided by the Sierra Club.

NameLocationCoordinatesCapacity
(MW)		Year
opened		Scheduled RetirementRefs
Colstrip Energy LP PlantRosebud County45°58′31″N 106°39′17″W / 45.9752°N 106.6547°W / 45.9752; -106.6547 (Colstrip Energy LP Plant)38 1990 TBD [6][7]
Colstrip Steam Electric StationRosebud County45°52′59″N 106°36′50″W / 45.8831°N 106.614°W / 45.8831; -106.614 (Colstrip Coal Plant)1480 1975 (Unit 1- 340MW)
1976 (Unit 2- 340MW)
1984 (Unit 3- 740MW)
1986 (Unit 4- 740MW)		 2020 (Unit 1- closed)
2020 (Unit 2- closed)
2027 (Unit 3)
2027 (Unit 4)		 [8][9][10]
Hardin Generator ProjectBig Horn County45°45′28″N 107°36′00″W / 45.7578°N 107.6000°W / 45.7578; -107.6000 (Hardin Generator Project)107 2006 TBD [A] [11]
Lewis & Clark StationRichland County47°40′43″N 104°09′24″W / 47.6785°N 104.1566°W / 47.6785; -104.1566 (Lewis & Clark Station)53 1958 2021 (closed) [12][13][14][15]
Sidney Sugars PlantRichland County47°43′02″N 104°08′08″W / 47.7172°N 104.1356°W / 47.7172; -104.1356 (Sydney Sugars Plant)4.0 1950 TBD [16]

A The Hardin facility was mostly idle and is re-ramping to service cryptocurrency mining.[17]

Natural gas and petroleum

NameLocationCoordinatesCapacity
(MW)		Fuel
type		Generation
type		Year
opened		Refs
Basin Creek Generation PlantSilver Bow County45°55′45″N 112°31′10″W / 45.9293°N 112.5194°W / 45.9293; -112.5194 (Basin Creek Plant)54GasReciprocating engine (x9)2006[18][19]
Culbertson Generation StationRoosevelt County48°12′36″N 104°23′30″W / 48.2100°N 104.3917°W / 48.2100; -104.3917 (Culbertson Generation Station)85GasSimple cycle2010[20]
Dave Gates Generating Station[A]Deer Lodge County46°06′17″N 112°52′36″W / 46.1047°N 112.8766°W / 46.1047; -112.8766 (Dave Gates Generating Station)150GasSimple cycle (x3)2011[21]
Glendive Gas TurbineDawson County47°03′14″N 104°44′24″W / 47.0539°N 104.7400°W / 47.0539; -104.7400 (Glendive GT Plant)75GasSimple cycle (x2)1979/2003[22]
Lewis & Clark 2Richland County47°40′45″N 104°09′36″W / 47.6791°N 104.1600°W / 47.6791; -104.1600 (Lewis & Clark 2 Station)19GasInternal combustion (x2)2015[23][24]
Miles City Gas TurbineCuster County46°24′40″N 105°47′43″W / 46.4112°N 105.7953°W / 46.4112; -105.7953 (Miles City GT Plant)24GasSimple cycle1972[25]
OREG 1 & 2Roosevelt County48°12′51″N 104°23′51″W / 48.2141°N 104.3975°W / 48.2141; -104.3975 (OREG 1/2)40Waste heat from gas compressor turbineORC generator (x8)2006/2009[26]
Phillips 66 Billings RefineryYellowstone County45°46′37″N 108°29′28″W / 45.7769°N 108.4911°W / 45.7769; -108.4911 (Billing Refinery)1.5Petroleum gasesSteam turbine2007
Yellowstone EnergyYellowstone County45°48′42″N 108°25′40″W / 45.8117°N 108.4278°W / 45.8117; -108.4278 (Yellowstone Plant)52PetroleumSteam turbine1995[27]

A Formerly Mill Creek Generating Station

Renewable power stations

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration serves as a general reference.[4]

Biomass

NameLocationCoordinatesCapacity
(MW)		FuelGeneration
type		Year
opened		Refs
Stoltze CoGen1Flathead County48°23′16″N 114°14′27″W / 48.3877°N 114.2409°W / 48.3877; -114.2409 (Stoltze Cogen)3.0Wood/wood wasteSteam turbine2013[28]

Hydroelectric

Additional Montana hydroelectric general references:[29][30]

NameLocationCoordinatesCapacity
(MW)		Number of
turbines		Year
opened		Refs
Bigfork Hydro Flathead 4.5 3 1908
Black Eagle HydroCascade County47°31′17″N 111°15′41″W / 47.5213°N 111.2614°W / 47.5213; -111.2614 (Black Eagle Hydro)2131927[31]
Broadwater Power ProjectBroadwater County46°07′14″N 111°24′27″W / 46.1206°N 111.4076°W / 46.1206; -111.4076 (Broadwater Power Project)9.711989[32]
Canyon Ferry PowerplantLewis and Clark County46°38′56″N 111°43′40″W / 46.6490°N 111.7279°W / 46.6490; -111.7279 (Canyon Ferry Powerplant)57.631953-1954[33]
Cochrane HydroCascade County47°32′15″N 111°11′42″W / 47.5375°N 111.1950°W / 47.5375; -111.1950 (Cochrane Hydro)6221958[31]
Flint Creek HydroGranite County46°13′39″N 113°17′41″W / 46.2275°N 113.2947°W / 46.2275; -113.2947 (Flint Creek Hydro)2.012013[34]
Fort Peck Hydropower PlantMcCone County48°00′44″N 106°24′44″W / 48.0122°N 106.4123°W / 48.0122; -106.4123 (Fort Peck Hydropower Plant)21851943/1948/
1951/1961		[35]
Hauser HydroLewis and Clark County46°45′57″N 111°53′14″W / 46.7659°N 111.8873°W / 46.7659; -111.8873 (Hauser Hydro)18.261911[31]
Holter HydroCascade County46°59′29″N 112°00′17″W / 46.9915°N 112.0047°W / 46.9915; -112.0047 (Holter Hydro)53.241918[31]
Hungry Horse PowerplantFlathead County48°20′29″N 114°00′52″W / 48.3415°N 114.0144°W / 48.3415; -114.0144 (Hungry Horse Hydro Powerplant)42741952-1953[36]
Libby Hydro PlantLincoln County48°24′35″N 115°18′51″W / 48.4098°N 115.3143°W / 48.4098; -115.3143 (Libby Hydro Plant)52551975-1976/
1984		[37]
Madison HydroMadison County45°29′16″N 111°38′02″W / 45.4879°N 111.6338°W / 45.4879; -111.6338 (Madison Hydro)8.041906/1908[31]
Morony HydroCascade County47°34′54″N 111°03′39″W / 47.5817°N 111.0609°W / 47.5817; -111.0609 (Morony Hydro)4921930[31]
Mystic Lake HydroStillwater County45°13′33″N 109°45′45″W / 45.2257°N 109.7625°W / 45.2257; -109.7625 (Mystic Lake Hydro)1221925[31]
Noxon Rapids HydroSanders County47°57′38″N 115°44′01″W / 47.9605°N 115.7336°W / 47.9605; -115.7336 (Noxon Rapids Hydro Plant)58051959-1960/
1977		[38]
Rainbow HydroCascade County47°32′04″N 111°12′16″W / 47.5344°N 111.2045°W / 47.5344; -111.2045 (Rainbow Hydro)6412013[31]
Ryan HydroCascade County47°34′12″N 111°07′21″W / 47.5699°N 111.1225°W / 47.5699; -111.1225 (Ryan Hydro)69.561915-1916[31]
Seli's Ksanka Qlispe' Hydro
(formerly Kerr Dam Hydro)		Lake County47°40′40″N 114°14′02″W / 47.6777°N 114.2339°W / 47.6777; -114.2339 (Seli's Ksanka Qlispe' Hydro)20631938/1949/
1954		[31]
South Dry Creek HydroCarbon County45°12′23″N 109°09′55″W / 45.2063°N 109.1652°W / 45.2063; -109.1652 (South Dry Creek Hydro)2.011985[39]
Thompson Falls HydroSanders County47°35′36″N 115°21′30″W / 47.5932°N 115.3582°W / 47.5932; -115.3582 (Thompson Falls Hydro)9471915-1917[31]
Tiber Dam HydroLiberty County48°19′05″N 111°06′06″W / 48.318°N 111.1018°W / 48.318; -111.1018 (Tiber Dam Hydro)7.512004[29]
Turnbull HydroTeton County47°36′19″N 112°05′49″W / 47.6053°N 112.0969°W / 47.6053; -112.0969 (Turnbull Hydro)1322011[40]
Yellowtail PowerplantBig Horn County45°18′27″N 107°57′27″W / 45.3074°N 107.9575°W / 45.3074; -107.9575 (Yellowtail Powerplant)27841966[41]

Wind

NameLocationCoordinatesCapacity
(MW)		Number of
turbines		Year
opened		Turbine
mfg spec		Refs
Big Timber Wind Farm (Greycliff)Sweet Grass County45°51′19″N 109°38′57″W / 45.8554°N 109.6492°W / 45.8554; -109.6492 (Big Timber Wind)25142018GE 1.8MW[42]
Diamond Willow Wind FacilityFallon County46°16′31″N 104°11′01″W / 46.2753°N 104.1836°W / 46.2753; -104.1836 (Diamond Willow Wind)30202008GE 1.5MW[42]
Fairfield WindTeton County47°43′24″N 111°57′55″W / 47.7233°N 111.9653°W / 47.7233; -111.9653 (Fairfield Wind)1062014GE 1.6/1.7MW[42]
Glacier Wind I&IIGlacier County
Toole County		48°32′00″N 112°11′05″W / 48.5333°N 112.1847°W / 48.5333; -112.1847 (Glacier Wind)2101402008Acciona 1.5MW[43]
Gordon Butte WindMeagher County46°24′43″N 110°20′16″W / 46.4119°N 110.3378°W / 46.4119; -110.3378 (Gordon Butte Wind)17.792012
2018		GE 1.6MW
GE 2.7MW		[42]
Greenfield WindTeton County47°43′23″N 111°57′47″W / 47.7230°N 111.9630°W / 47.7230; -111.9630 (Greenfield Wind)25132016GE 2.3MW[42]
Horseshoe Bend Wind ParkCascade County47°29′54″N 111°26′21″W / 47.4983°N 111.4392°W / 47.4983; -111.4392 (Horseshoe Bend Wind Park)9.062006GE 1.5MW[42]
Judith Gap Wind Energy CenterWheatland County46°34′21″N 109°45′11″W / 46.5725°N 109.7531°W / 46.5725; -109.7531 (Judith Gap Wind)135902006GE 1.5MW[22]
Musselshell Wind Project I&IIWheatland County46°16′31″N 109°28′58″W / 46.2753°N 109.4827°W / 46.2753; -109.4827 (Musselshell Wind)20142013GE 1.5MW[42]
Pryor Mountain Wind Project[A]Carbon County45°08′05″N 108°41′12″W / 45.13472°N 108.68667°W / 45.13472; -108.68667 (Pryor Mountain Wind)2401142020Vestas 2.0/2.2MW
GE 2.3MW[44]		[45][46]
Rim Rock Wind FarmGlacier County
Toole County		48°49′13″N 112°06′12″W / 48.8202°N 112.1033°W / 48.8202; -112.1033 (Rim Rock Wind)1891262012Acciona 1.5MW[47][48]
South Peak WindJudith Basin County47°19′48″N 110°36′53″W / 47.3299°N 110.6146°W / 47.3299; -110.6146 (South Peak Wind)80292020GE 2.3/2.5MW[49]
Spion Kop Wind FarmJudith Basin County47°20′00″N 110°38′21″W / 47.3333°N 110.6392°W / 47.3333; -110.6392 (Spion Kop Wind)40252013GE 1.6MW[42][50]
Stillwater WindStillwater County45°51′57″N 109°28′36″W / 45.8658°N 109.4766°W / 45.8658; -109.4766 (Stillwater Wind)80312018Siemens-Gamesa 2.3/2.6MW[51]
Two Dot Wind FarmWheatland County46°26′58″N 110°05′14″W / 46.4494°N 110.0872°W / 46.4494; -110.0872 (Two Dot Wind)9.762014GE 1.6MW[42][50]

A Formerly Mud Springs Wind

Solar

Project name Location Coordinates Capacity
(MWAC)		 Year
opened		 Refs
Black Eagle SolarCascade County47°32′51″N 111°15′14″W / 47.5475°N 111.2540°W / 47.5475; -111.2540 (Black Eagle Solar)3.02017[52]
Great Divide SolarLewis and Clark County46°48′21″N 112°14′56″W / 46.8057°N 112.2490°W / 46.8057; -112.2490 (Great Divide Solar)3.02017[53]
Green Meadow SolarLewis and Clark County46°41′40″N 112°03′49″W / 46.6945°N 112.0636°W / 46.6945; -112.0636 (Green Meadow Solar)3.02017[54]
Magpie SolarGolden Valley County46°17′29″N 108°56′16″W / 46.2914°N 108.9379°W / 46.2914; -108.9379 (Magpie Solar)3.02017[55]
River Bend SolarStillwater County45°42′14″N 109°33′55″W / 45.7038°N 109.5652°W / 45.7038; -109.5652 (River Bend Solar)2.02017[56]
South Mills SolarBig Horn County45°43′48″N 107°37′57″W / 45.7301°N 107.6326°W / 45.7301; -107.6326 (South Mills Solar)3.02017[57]

Storage power stations

Montana had no utility-scale storage power stations in 2019.[4] A proposed facility is the 400MW/1300MWh Gordon Butte Pumped Storage Project.[58]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Electricity Data Browser, Net generation for all sectors, Montana, Fuel Type-Check all, Annual, 2001–25". www.eia.gov. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Montana Electricity Profile". U.S. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Montana Electricity Profile Analysis". U.S. EIA. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Energy Information Administration (September 15, 2020). "Form EIA-860 detailed data with previous form data (EIA-860A/860B)". eia.gov. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020.
  5. ↑ Sierra Club-Beyond Coal
  6. ↑ "Colstrip Energy LP Plant". Global Energy Observatory. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Colstrip Energy LP, monthly electricity data". U.S. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Colstrip Steam Electric Station - Colstrip, Montana". Talen Energy. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Colstrip Steam Electric Station Units 1 and 2 to Retire". prnewswire.com. June 11, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Colstrip Steam Plant - Global Energy Monitor". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  11. ↑ Tom Lutey (March 1, 2019). "Hardin coal-fired power plant sells to possible cryptocurrency company". Billings Gazette.
  12. ↑ "Lewis & Clark Station". Montana-Dakota Utilities. September 26, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  13. ↑ Tom Lutey (February 19, 2019). "MDU to shutter Eastern Montana coal power plant in 2020". Billings Gazette.
  14. ↑ "Eastern Montana coal plant closes". Montana Standard. March 31, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  15. ↑ rjean@willistonherald.com, Renée Jean (December 30, 2020). "Lewis and Clark Station could find new life in a world class way". Sidney Herald. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Sidney Sugars - Facility Information". American Crystal Sugar Company. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  17. ↑ Brian Spegele and Caitlan Ostroff (May 21, 2021). "Bitcoin Miners Are Giving New Life to Old Fossil-Fuel Power Plants". Wall Street Journal.
  18. ↑ "Basin Creek 51.8 MW Generation Plant". ITG Henneman Engineering Inc. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  19. ↑ Tim Trainor (February 27, 2010). "The little power plant that could". Montana Standard.
  20. ↑ "Culbertson Station". Basin Electric Cooperative. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  21. ↑ "NWE electricity generation - Dave Gates Generating Station at Mill Creek". Northwestern Energy. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  22. 1 2 "Glendive gas turbine". Montana-Dakota Utilities. August 20, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Montana-Dakota Utilities To Add Generation At Lewis And Clark Station Site". Montana-Dakota Utilities. January 27, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Montana-Dakota Utilities Lewis & Clark Closure & Post Closure". Montana-Dakota Utilities. September 26, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Miles City gas turbine". Montana-Dakota Utilities. August 20, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Recovered Energy Generation". Ormat Technologies, Inc. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Yellowstone Energy Oil Plant". Global Energy Observatory. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Montana Biomass Energy Projects". Montana Department of Environmental Quality. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  29. 1 2 "Montana's Hydroelectric Portfolio". Montana Department of Environmental Quality. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Hydroelectric projects in Montana". Foundation for Water and Energy Education. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "NWE Hydroelectric Facilities". Northwestern Energy. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Toston Dam (Broadwater-Missouri) Factsheet" (PDF). Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. October 31, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Canyon Ferry Dam". U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  34. ↑ George Plaven (September 5, 2011). "Turning on the juice: Flint Creek dam to resume producing hydroelectric power in Granite County". The Montana Standard.
  35. ↑ "USACE Hydropower at Fort Peck". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Hungry Horse Powerplant". U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Clark River Project - Noxon Rapids". Avista Corp. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  39. ↑ "South Dry Creek Hydro Plant". Global Energy Observatory. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Project aims to turn irrigation ditch into power". Northwest Renewable News. November 9, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Yellowtail Dam". U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "MSU Wind Applications Center - Active Wind Project". Montana State University. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  43. ↑ LeAnne Kavanagh (October 28, 2009). "Glacier Wind Farm is state's biggest wind energy project". Shelby Promoter.
  44. ↑ "Pryor Mountain Wind Project" (PDF). Rocky Mountain Power. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  45. ↑ Tom Lutey (August 7, 2020). "Bridger wind farm could be finished by end of year". Billings Gazette.
  46. ↑ Tom Lutey (January 12, 2020). "Wind farm projects lining up to call hills around south-central montana town home". Billings Gazette.
  47. ↑ Paula Moore (June 17, 2013). "Rim Rock Wind Farm Is Largest-Capacity Wind Site in Montana". ENR Mountain States. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Rim Rock Wind Farm, Montana". Power Technology. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  49. ↑ "Renewable energy sites - South Peak". Allete Clean Energy / Allete Inc. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  50. 1 2 "Wind Generation". Northwestern Energy. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Pattern's Stillwater Wind Comes To Life In Montana". North American Windpower. November 19, 2018.
  52. ↑ Jo Dee Black (June 1, 2017). "Construction on Black Eagle Solar well underway". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Great Divide". OneEnergy Renewables. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Green Meadow Solar". Renewable Northwest. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Magpie Solar Project". Solar Energy Resources. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  56. ↑ "River Bend Solar". Renewable Northwest. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  57. ↑ "South Mills Solar". Renewable Northwest. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  58. ↑ "Gordon Butte Pumped Storage Project". Gordon Butte Energy Park LLC. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
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