Our Natural Gas and Electric Service
NorthWestern Energy serves 337 communities in Montana, South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park with safe and reliable electricity. We serve natural gas to 202 communities in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska.
Our Company
For more than 100 years, NorthWestern Energy has been committed to delivering safe, reliable and innovative energy solutions.
We serve gas and electric to customers in the western two-thirds of Montana and eastern South Dakota. We also have gas service in Nebraska, and serve electricity to Yellowstone National Park.
We own and operate a diverse generation fleet of wind, water, natural gas and coal-fired resources and the high-voltage electric transmission system and distribution system. We also own and operate natural gas production, transmission and distribution systems.
We serve gas and electric to customers in the western two-thirds of Montana and eastern South Dakota. We also have gas service in Nebraska, and serve electricity to Yellowstone National Park.
We own and operate a diverse generation fleet of wind, water, natural gas and coal-fired resources and the high-voltage electric transmission system and distribution system. We also own and operate natural gas production, transmission and distribution systems.
Enriching Lives Through a Safe, Sustainable Energy Future
Enriching Lives Through a Safe, Sustainable Energy Future
NorthWestern Energy has provided reliable and affordable electricity and natural gas to customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska for more than 100 years.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability means meeting today’s needs while planning for tomorrow’s as well. It is not just a matter of good environmental practices, being a sustainable enterprise must also incorporate social and governance best practices.
NorthWestern Energy at a glance
775,300
customers served across Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Yellowstone National Park
1,573
employees working across our service territory
55%
carbon-free electric generation
Our vision
Enriching lives through a safe sustainable energy future.
Our mission
Working together to provide safe, reliable and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors.
Our values
SERVICE: Safety, Excellence, Respect, Value, Integrity, Community, Environment
Our Hydro Facilities
Our carbon-free hydro system is the foundation of our energy generation portfolio in Montana. In 2023, 35.7% of our electricity for Montana customers came from our hydro facilities.
Giving Back to Our Communities
NorthWestern Energy is committed to being a good corporate citizen of all the communities we serve. In 2023, we gave nearly $2 million in charitable donations and community support.
Where Does Your Energy Come From?
We provide safe, reliable energy through a balanced mix of clean energy and traditional resources.
Providing reliable energy to customers 24/7
Date: Mar 5, 2024
TYPE: News
NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern) is committed to providing their customers reliable energy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NorthWestern manages a balanced energy mix that keeps the lights on, no matter the weather.
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Approximately 58% of NorthWestern’s owned and contracted energy supply is carbon-free, markedly better than the national average of 40% in 2022 (eia.gov table 7.2b). Since 2011, NorthWestern has added 954 megawatts of owned and long-term contracted energy resources to its Montana generation portfolio, all of which are carbon free (wind, hydro or solar).
When the wind isn’t blowing, or the sun isn’t shining, NorthWestern must have energy generation options to provide power to customers. We all know how brutal cold snaps can be during our winters and how quickly temperatures soar during the summer; extreme temperatures put additional stress on the energy system, at times, demanding more than NorthWestern can supply with its owned and contracted sources. When the need for energy is higher than NorthWestern’s capacity to supply it, they buy energy from the market to keep customers connected.
NorthWestern is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, and they have worked to increase carbon-free generation options. At this point, long-duration storage technologies are not cost-effective. As the industry works to find solutions, NorthWestern is investing in resources to provide customers with reliable energy.
For example, the Yellowstone County Generating Station is designed to provide energy at peak times to support the intermittent nature of renewable energy. The plant, estimated to be complete in 2024, will bring an additional 175-megawatts of on-demand power generation through natural gas. To bring this level of capacity with alternative resources would cost anywhere from two to 24 times more. Located in Montana, this plant bridges a critical gap in on-demand power sources and is dedicated to serving NorthWestern’s Montana customers.
NorthWestern is committed to balancing affordability, reliability and sustainability with the resources available. They will continue to work to support cleaner energy generation, while remaining uncompromising on reliability and affordability for customers. You can read more about NorthWestern’s energy generation and net zero plan by scanning this QR code.