From July 2025 through June 2026, almost two-thirds of Montana’s electricity consumption came from low-carbon sources, while roughly 36% came from fossil fuels. Hydropower supplied about 39% of electricity, wind contributed 23%, and solar provided nearly 2%, including about 1% from utility-scale installations. Among fossil sources, coal accounted for about 30% of electricity, gas for 4%, and oil for around 1.5%. Montana therefore has a strong clean electricity foundation, but coal still supplies a substantial share, contributing to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Montana?

Montana’s electricity consumption is growing, with the latest 2026 figure reaching a record of about 25,400 kWh per person. That is roughly 555 kWh per person, or 2%, above the previous record set in 2025. Low-carbon electricity generation grew considerably faster, reaching about 16,100 kWh per person—an increase of around 1,700 kWh, or 12%, over its 2025 record. This is encouraging progress: clean electricity generation is expanding faster than electricity consumption, helping Montana meet growing demand from electrification and AI with a cleaner supply.

Suggestions

Montana can build on this momentum by expanding its already substantial wind generation while accelerating solar development and considering new nuclear generation. Nearby US states offer useful examples: South Dakota generates about 56% of its electricity from wind, and North Dakota about 36%, compared with Montana’s 23%. For solar, Montana can learn from the US states of Utah and Colorado, where solar supplies about 20% and 14% of electricity, respectively. Nuclear could add dependable low-carbon electricity alongside wind, solar, and hydropower; the US state of Nebraska generates about 16% of its electricity from nuclear, while France demonstrates its potential at a much larger share, around 67%. Together, these technologies could support rising electricity consumption while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

History

The recent history shows consistent growth in Montana’s low-carbon electricity generation. Across 2024 and 2025, wind generation increased by a combined 1.7 TWh, while hydropower added 1 TWh. Growth continued in 2026, when hydropower rose by another 1.5 TWh and wind added 0.5 TWh. Across these three years, the reported increases totalled 2.5 TWh for hydropower and 2.2 TWh for wind, with biofuel generation unchanged each year. This sustained expansion is welcome progress toward a larger, cleaner electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.