Electric Generation

This chart shows in near real time where your energy is coming from, with the red line showing the forecast of how much electricity we need to generate to meet demand.

When generation doesn't meet demand (when there is a gap between the colored bars and the red line), we buy additional electricity from the open market. When generation exceeds demand (the colored bars go above the red line), we can sell the extra energy on the market.

• Our hydro resources (light blue) are the base of our electric generation in Montana. The amount of electricity generated by our hydro facilities is fairly consistent.
• Wind resources (light green) vary dramatically. When the wind is blowing, our production generally exceeds our demand. 
• We rely on thermal resources (dark blue) to ramp up and help meet demand with the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining.