In Montana, between September 2024 and August 2025, electricity consumption presents a fascinating blend of low-carbon and fossil energy contributions. Low-carbon energy, which includes hydropower, wind, and solar, accounts for more than half of the electricity, capturing around 57% of the total supply. Within this clean category, hydropower stands out by delivering about a third of the state's electricity, while wind contributes around 22%, and solar, although less prominent, adds roughly 2%. On the other hand, fossil energy types make up close to 43% of the state's electricity, primarily driven by coal at 37%, followed by gas and oil contributing a smaller fraction combined. This current mix indicates a relatively balanced distribution between low-carbon and fossil electricity supplies, steering Montana towards a greener future.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Montana?
Despite this leaning towards cleaner energy, electricity consumption in Montana overall remains in a less bullish trajectory compared to previous records. The latest electricity consumption per person in 2025 stands at 24,722 kWh, which regrettably reflects a decline of 5,631 kWh from the historic peak set in 2008. Encouragingly, low-carbon electricity generation has reached a new high at 13,970 kWh per person, modestly surpassing the previous record set in 2011 by 74 kWh. This development is a hopeful sign, suggesting that the state is taking constructive steps towards expanding its clean energy capacity despite an overall dip in total electricity consumption, highlighting areas for further improvement and investment.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation in Montana, focusing on expanding established sectors like wind would further strengthen the state’s clean energy portfolio. Montana can learn from successful regions such as Iowa and South Dakota, where wind power contributes significantly to their electricity supply, showing the way for further wind energy development. Additionally, looking to countries like France, Slovakia, and states like New Hampshire could provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of incorporating nuclear energy, given their substantial reliance on nuclear power, often comprising over half of their electricity supply. Emulating these regions by investing in both wind and nuclear energy could effectively increase Montana's low-carbon electricity generation and pave the way for a sustainable energy future.
History
Over the past decades, low-carbon electricity in Montana has seen varied changes, particularly concerning hydropower and wind generation. In the mid-2000s, hydropower generation experienced fluctuations with moderate increases and decreases almost yearly. Notably, the year 2011 marked a significant boost in hydropower production by 3.2 TWh, although this was followed by declines in subsequent years. Since 2017, hydropower figures showed occasional upticks but generally hovered around a steady state. Meanwhile, wind energy has been on a steadfast rise, particularly evident from 2020 onwards, where incremental increases suggest a promising trend for this green energy source. Continued focus on harnessing such clean energy will be crucial in Montana’s efforts to build a resilient, sustainable electricity system.
