From July 2025 through June 2026, almost two-thirds of Montana’s electricity consumption came from low-carbon sources: about 63%, compared with roughly 36% from fossil fuels. Hydropower supplied about 39% of electricity, while wind contributed 23%. Solar supplied around 1.6%, including about 1% from utility-scale installations. Coal remained the largest fossil source, accounting for roughly 30% of electricity, followed by gas at 4% and oil at about 1.5%. Montana therefore has a strong clean electricity foundation, but coal still supplies almost a third of its electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Montana?

Electricity consumption per person is growing in Montana. The latest 2026 figure reached approximately 25,400 kWh per person, exceeding the previous record of about 24,800 kWh in 2025 by 555 kWh, or just over 2%. Low-carbon electricity generation grew considerably faster, reaching around 16,100 kWh per person—up 1,718 kWh, or about 12%, from its previous record in 2025. These new records are encouraging, especially the stronger growth in clean electricity. Continued expansion can help meet future electricity demand from electrification and AI.

Suggestions

Montana can build on its substantial wind generation while expanding solar and considering nuclear electricity. Nearby examples offer useful guidance: the US states of South Dakota and North Dakota generate about 56% and 36% of their electricity from wind, respectively, demonstrating the scope for further wind development in the region. For solar, Montana can learn from the US states of Colorado and Utah, where solar supplies about 14% and 20% of electricity. Nuclear could add a dependable low-carbon source alongside wind, solar, and hydropower; the US state of Nebraska generates about 16% of its electricity from nuclear, while France obtains roughly two-thirds. Expanding these clean sources would support electricity growth while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and their climate and air-pollution impacts.

History

From 2024 through 2026, Montana’s low-carbon electricity generation increased each year through gains in wind and hydropower. In 2024, wind generation rose by 1.3 TWh and hydropower by 0.4 TWh. In 2025, hydropower added 0.6 TWh and wind another 0.4 TWh. The strongest combined increase came in 2026, when hydropower grew by 1.5 TWh and wind by 0.5 TWh. Across these three years, the reported gains totaled 2.5 TWh for hydropower and 2.2 TWh for wind, while low-carbon biofuel generation showed no change. This sustained growth provides an encouraging foundation for further clean electricity expansion.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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