In 2025, Montana's electricity consumption presents a balanced mix between clean and fossil energy sources, with more than half of the electricity generated coming from low-carbon sources. Hydropower is the largest contributor to clean energy, providing almost a third of the state's electricity, followed by wind power, which delivers about one-fifth. Solar energy, though still a small fraction, is on the rise with nearly 2% of overall generation. On the other hand, fossil fuels account for a little over 40% of electricity generation, with coal being the dominant fossil source, contributing about 35%. Gas and oil only make minor contributions to the state's total electricity mix.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Montana?
Electricity consumption in Montana is on an upward trend. In 2025, the state recorded an average electricity use of 24,821 kWh per person, surpassing the previous high from 2023 by 980 kWh per person. The growth in low-carbon electricity is also evident, with per capita generation reaching 14,361 kWh, marking an increase of 693 kWh from the previous year. These figures highlight an encouraging move towards cleaner energy in Montana, although further growth is necessary to ensure sustainability and meet future energy needs.
Suggestions
To further increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Montana can expand its wind energy capacity, as its potential for harnessing wind power remains significant. Looking at successful regions, Montana can learn from South Dakota and Iowa, where wind energy accounts for nearly 60% of total electricity generation. In addition to wind, Montana could benefit from developing other clean technologies like solar and nuclear power. For instance, Nevada's aggressive solar development strategy resulting in 34% of electricity generated from solar could serve as a model. Furthermore, adopting nuclear energy could be transformative, drawing inspiration from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy constitutes over 65% of electricity generation.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Montana, particularly in recent years, shows a steady increase in both hydro and wind capacities. In 2024, wind power generation saw a substantial rise of 1.3 TWh, complemented by a 0.4 TWh increase in hydropower. The momentum continued into 2025, with hydro expanding by an additional 0.6 TWh and wind by 0.4 TWh. Although biofuels remained steady, these gains in wind and hydro illustrate a strong commitment to clean energy development. Montana's focus on these low-carbon sectors over the years is a positive sign, but further strides in solar and nuclear energy are necessary to secure a more sustainable future.
