Over the past 12 months, from July 2025 to June 2026, Montana's electricity landscape has shown a promising inclination towards low-carbon generation. More than half of the electricity produced in the state, around 63%, comes from clean energy sources. Hydropower is the leading low-carbon contributor at almost 39%, whereas wind, another clean source, accounts for over 23% of the total electricity generated. Solar energy, while still a minor player, has utility contributions of about 1%. On the other hand, fossil fuels account for nearly 36% of the electricity, with coal as the dominant fossil-based energy form contributing approximately 30%, followed by gas at around 4%, and oil at close to 2%. The current energy profile illustrates Montana's significant reliance on low-carbon electricity while still maintaining a substantial portion from fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Montana?

Electricity consumption in Montana has recently seen an upward trend, highlighting growth in both overall usage and cleaner energy forms. In 2026, electricity consumption stands at approximately 25,376 kWh per person, exceeding the previous record of 24,821 kWh per person set in 2025 by 555 kWh per person. Low-carbon electricity generation has been pivotal in this growth, with consumption rising from 14,361 kWh per person in 2025 to 16,079 kWh per person in 2026, marking a significant increase of 1,718 kWh per person. This noteworthy growth underscores the importance of low-carbon energy sources in meeting the increasing electricity demands sustainably.

Suggestions

To further increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Montana can leverage its existing resources, particularly by expanding wind power, which already makes a significant contribution. The state can also take valuable lessons from regions like Iowa and South Dakota, where wind energy constitutes more than half of the total electricity generation. Additionally, Montana could explore the development of nuclear energy, drawing inspiration from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power constitutes a substantial majority of their electricity. Furthermore, the expansion of solar energy can also be considered by looking at the success stories of states like Nevada and New Jersey, where solar energy provides a considerable share of power. These strategies would solidify Montana’s commitment to clean energy and aid in moving away from the detrimental effects of fossil fuels.

History

Historically, Montana has seen a steady increase in its low-carbon electricity generation. In recent years, specifically from 2024 onwards, there has been notable growth in wind and hydroelectric power. The year 2026 marked an impressive increase with hydropower generation rising by 1.5 TWh and wind by 0.5 TWh. These increases are consistent with incremental developments in 2024 and 2025, when hydropower and wind energy showed continued expansion, contributing positively to the state's clean energy output. This historical progression hints at a more sustainable future for Montana’s electricity generation landscape, driven by strategic investments in low-carbon technologies like wind and hydroelectric power.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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