Planning Montana's Clean Energy Future

Long-term resource planning helps deliver affordable and reliable energy into the future.

Integrated Resource Planning

Wind turbines at the Two Dot Wind Farm at sunset

Integrated Resource Planning

NorthWestern Energy files an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Montana Public Service Commission every three years. The IRP presents an evaluation of different potential generation resource portfolios that would meet the needs of our Montana electric customers reliably, safely and affordably over a 20‑year time horizon. Provide Feedback

2026 Workplan 2026 IRP Comment Tracker

Electric Technical Advisory Committee

The Electric Technical Advisory Committee, or ETAC, advises NorthWestern Energy in the preparation of its Resource Procurement Plan every three years. The primary goal of ETAC is to act as technical advisors through discussion, education, and collaboration on matters of future service and resources. The committee is tasked with strengthening NorthWestern’s resource planning efforts by providing insights and recommendations that take into account technical, economic and policy considerations.
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MT 2026 IRP Schedule (Tentative – Subject to Change)

Updated August 26, 2025

MeetingDateTimeTopics
1Dec. 5, 20239:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Introductions
  • Overview
  • Expectations
2March 27, 20249:30-11:30 a.m.
  • IRP Workplan Development
  • ETAC Timeline
  • Stakeholder Engagement Plan
  • PowerSimm Modeling and ETAC
3
June 27, 20249:30 a.m.-noon
  • Review Final IRP Workplan
  • Stakeholder Engagement #1 Discussion
  • Modeling scenarios
4Sept. 18, 20249:30 a.m.-noon
  • PowerSimm Education
  • Price Forecasting
5Dec. 18, 20249:30 a.m.-noon
  • Modeling Inputs
    • Load Forecasting
    • New Resource Cost Modeling
  • Modeling Scenarios
  • PowerSimm Access
6March 26, 20259:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Stakeholder Working Group
  • Updated IRP Work Plan
  • WECC – Resource Adequacy Discussion
  • New Resource Cost Modeling
  • Modeling Scenarios
  • PowerSimm
**June 9, 20259 - 4 p.m.
  • Introductions
  • What is an IRP?Scenarios and Sensitivities 
  • Candidate Resources
  • Activity
  • Load Forecasting
  • DSM
  • Transmission Overview
  • Western Resource Adequacy Program
  • 2023 IRP feedback from stakeholders
  • 2026 IRP Workplan Review
7June 25, 20259:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Stakeholder Working Group
  • Form Energy
  • PowerSimm Login
  • Website Updates
  • Costs Discussion
  • Updates
8Aug. 28, 20259:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Asset Management VP Comments
  • Stakeholder Working Group
  • Scenario/Sensitivity updates
  • PowerSimm Preliminary ARS Results 
9Oct. 29, 20259:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Progress Update
**Oct. 2025TBD
  • PowerSimm Preliminary ARS Results
  • Progress Update
***Nov. 2025 (Bozeman)TBD
  • IRP Presentation
***Nov. 2025 (Helena)TBD
  • IRP Presentation
10 Dec. 3, 20259:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • PowerSimm Final ARS Results
  • Draft IRP
***Dec. 2025 (Missoula)TBD
  • IRP Presentation
***Dec. 2025 (Great Falls)TBD
  • IRP Presentation
11Dec. 29, 2025 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Presentation of Final Draft IRP
****Dec. 30, 2025 (Butte)TBD
  • PRESENTATION ONLY
  • Presentation of Final Draft IRP
 * April 31, 2026 N/A
  • MT IRP 2026 Filing with MPSC

* Denotes the Date for Anticipated 2026 MT IRP filing with Montana Public Service Commission

** Denotes Stakeholder Engagement Workshop

*** Denotes Public Webinar 

 

Where does your energy come from?

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Electric supply planning for South Dakota

NorthWestern submits an electricity supply resource plan to our state regulatory commission every 2 to 3 years. These plans serve to inform and support the resource management decisions necessary to ensure a reliable and affordable supply of electricity for all of our customers.
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