Over the past year, from April 2025 to March 2026, Montana has seen more than half of its electricity, about 62%, coming from low-carbon sources, which is a positive sign for clean energy adoption. Among these low-carbon sources, hydropower is the leading contributor, responsible for almost 38% of electricity generation. Wind energy also plays a significant role, making up about 22%. Solar energy, while still a smaller contributor, constitutes about 3% of electricity, with utility-scale solar accounting for a little over 1%. In contrast, fossil fuels generate about 37% of the state's electricity, with coal being the predominant fossil fuel at almost 32%, and natural gas, oil, and other fossil sources playing smaller roles in the energy mix.

Is Electricity Growing in Montana?

Considering the recent data, electricity consumption in Montana is indeed showing a growth trajectory. The per capita electricity consumption for 2026 reached 25,123 kWh, which is a small but noteworthy increase from the previous record of 24,821 kWh per person in 2025. This growth is accompanied by a significant rise in low-carbon electricity generation, with 15,517 kWh per person compared to 14,361 in the previous year—an encouraging increase of 1,156 kWh per person. This trend reflects a positive move towards greener electricity generation in Montana and aligns well with the broader push for more sustainable energy sources.

Suggestions

To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, Montana has promising opportunities for expansion, particularly in wind energy, given its already substantial contribution to the state's electricity generation. Learning from successful regions can provide further insights; for instance, South Dakota and Iowa, which generate more than half of their electricity from wind, offer valuable examples of large-scale wind deployment. Additionally, considering the potential role of nuclear energy, drawing inspiration from France, which relies heavily on nuclear power for 67% of its electricity, or Illinois and South Carolina, which both generate half or more from nuclear, could guide future investments. Expanding solar energy, taking cues from Nevada and California, which produce 34% and 31% of their electricity from solar, respectively, can also bolster Montana's clean energy portfolio, ensuring a diversified and resilient energy future.

History

In reviewing Montana's history of low-carbon electricity generation, recent years have reflected steady growth, particularly from wind and hydroelectric sources. In 2024, wind and hydro saw increases of 1.3 TWh and 0.4 TWh, respectively. The upward trend continued into 2025, with an additional 0.6 TWh from hydro and 0.4 TWh from wind. Most recently, 2026 witnessed even more remarkable growth with hydroelectricity increasing by 1.1 TWh and wind by 0.2 TWh. These trends indicate a positive drive towards expanding Montana's low-carbon infrastructure, setting a robust foundation for future expansions that can decrease fossil fuel reliance and align with broader climate goals. Montana's strategic focus on scaling existing low-carbon sources and exploring new opportunities positions the state to lead in clean energy transitions.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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