Montana's current electricity consumption landscape in 2025 shows a promising tilt towards low-carbon sources. Low-carbon energy sources contribute to approximately 58% of the electricity consumed, with hydropower and wind being the predominant clean energy contributors. Hydropower makes up about a third of the state's electricity, while wind accounts for nearly 22%. Solar, though still small, adds around 3% including both residential and utility-scale installations. On the other hand, fossil fuels still have a significant presence, with coal alone contributing almost 35%, and the rest coming from gas and oil, making up roughly 6% collectively. This mixture points to a partial yet meaningful shift towards clean energy, reflecting a gradual move away from heavy reliance on fossil fuels.
Data sources used on this page include EIA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Montana?
Electricity consumption in Montana appears to be on an upward trajectory, with the latest figures reaching 24,821 kWh per person in 2025. This is a remarkable increase from the previous record set in 2023, indicating a growth of 980 kWh per person. This rise in overall electricity demand is paralleled by the growth in low-carbon electricity generation, which has increased by 693 kWh per person compared to 2024. Such growth highlights a burgeoning need for sustainable electricity sources to keep pace with increasing demand and underscores a critical opportunity for expanding low-carbon energy contributions to meet future requirements.
Suggestions
To continue this positive momentum, Montana can focus on expanding its existing wind power capabilities, which already play a substantial role in the state’s low-carbon energy mix. Learning from regions with successful clean energy strategies is vital. For wind energy, the success of Denmark and Iowa sets a precedent with wind contributing to more than half of their electricity production. Meanwhile, exploring the potential of nuclear energy as seen in countries like France and Slovakia could provide Montana with sustainable solutions for long-term electricity needs. Additionally, solar energy has transformative potential, as demonstrated by the advancements in California and Nevada, and should also be prioritized in the state’s clean energy portfolio.
History
Montana's history with low-carbon electricity has seen steady progress, particularly in the recent years. In 2024, both wind and hydroelectric power witnessed increases in their output, with wind increasing by 1.3 TWh and hydro by 0.4 TWh. Moving into 2025, hydropower saw continued growth with an additional 0.6 TWh generated, while wind grew by another 0.4 TWh. These increments represent a consistent escalation of clean electricity generation in the state. While other low-carbon sources like biofuels remain constant without visible growth, the consistent enhancement of wind and hydro reflects a commendable trend, paving the way for future developments in low-carbon electricity.
