Electricity Rates in Montana

Electricity Rates, Plans & Statistics

The average electricity bill in Montana is $107.50
The average electricity rate in Montana is 12.50¢

Electric Bills and Electric Rates in Montana

The average residential electric bill in Montana is $107.50 per month. Montana is the 4th most expensive state in the country for electricity.

To save on your monthly electricity bill consider switching electricity providers.

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Electricity Companies & Statistics in Montana

Population
1,122,867
Total Production
27,229,240 MWh / 24.25 MWh per capita
Total Consumption
15,495,509 MWh / 13.8 MWh per capita
Total Production from Renewable
15,612,664 MWh / 13.9 MWh per capita
CO₂ Emissions from Consumption
6,546,023,335 kg / 5,829.74 kg per capita
Total Production from Non-Renewable
11,616,576 MWh / 10.35 MWh per capita

Average Residential Electricity Bills & Rates in Montana

Montana residential electric rates are highest in June and the highest average bill is in January.

Historical Electricity Rates:

8^th12.50¢Average residential price per kWh in the state of Montana

4^th$107.5Average residential monthly electricity bill for Montana Residents

Montana Production, Consumption, and Emissions by Fuel Types

MonthlyWe report production data as it is published. Due to reporting methods and timing, data from 2023 and 2022 may be incomplete. Data is released in full each fall for the previous calendar year. For clarification on any data points, please contact our team.

AnnualAnnual data for 2022 will be finalized in the fall of 2023. Until that time, some data may be incomplete. Data for 2023 is a summation of all information released to date, which may only represent a portion of the actual production that has occurred. For clarification on any data points, please contact our team.

Montana's Electricity Prices and Usage

Consumers in Montana enjoy a lower residential electricity rate than most people around the nation, with an average state electricity rate of 12.50 cents per kilowatt hour compared to the nationwide average price of 16.73 cents. While there are 30 electricity companies operating in the state, citizens often will only have one electricity supplier choice due to the regulated electricity market in place. The power grid in the state deals with an average of 1.05 outages per consumer each year, with outages lasting roughly 116.39 minutes. The US average for outages and outage time frames are 1.44 outages and 123.49 minutes. Electricity companies within the state increased their generation of electricity from wind turbines by 22.41%. NorthWestern Energy has 422,322 total residential customers, which is more than any other electricity provider in the state . Montana has grown the amount of electricity generated by hydroelectric power sources by about 6.02% throughout the previous 12 months.

Residential Electricity Providers in Montana

Provider	Service Type	Residential Rate (¢)	Residential Rate State Rank	Residential Average Bill ($)	Residential Average Bill State Rank	Residential Sales (MWh)	Residential Sales State Rank	Residential Revenues ($)	Residential Revenues State Rank	State Production (MWh)	State Production Rank
NorthWestern Energy	BUNDLED	13.87	19	100.13	4	2,856,070.79	1	396,062,985	1	3,819,674.26	1
Flathead Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	9.74	6	116.67	14	914,219	2	89,045,000	2	7,752	3
Mission Valley Power	BUNDLED	8.98	2	117.24	15	254,093.31	3	22,805,570	4		4
Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	13.56	17	125.27	17	235,161.39	4	31,880,528	3		4
Missoula Electric Coop	BUNDLED	10.50	9	113.18	10	190,519.57	5	20,000,584	6		4
Montana Dakota Utilities	BUNDLED	12.32	14	96.39	2	183,998	6	22,665,000	5	87,316	2
Ravalli Electric	BUNDLED	10.91	10	138.18	23	166,875.15	7	18,204,133.55	7		4
Vigilante Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	8.99	3	105.01	6	128,431.58	8	11,548,995.55	8		4
Lincoln Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	11.50	11	149.86	27	95,231.42	9	10,951,617.78	10		4
Park Electric Coop	BUNDLED	10.09	7	114.87	13	88,185.35	10	8,902,238.66	11		4
Glacier Electric Coop	BUNDLED	11.51	12	109.22	7	71,245.1	11	8,199,729.66	14		4
Fergus Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	16.69	28	139.24	24	66,543.29	12	11,108,421.89	9		4
Beartooth Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	14.12	20	113.16	9	56,653.42	13	8,001,128.86	15		4
Tongue River Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	15.54	26	162.98	28	56,599.02	14	8,794,532.18	12		4
Northern Lights	BUNDLED	13.52	16	143.46	25	51,796.89	15	7,003,016.73	17		4
Lower Yellowstone Electric REA	BUNDLED	9.42	5	111.47	8	50,708.07	16	4,775,648.62	20		4
Sun River Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	15.07	24	131.99	20	50,696.78	17	7,642,303.65	16		4
McCone Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	17.89	29	149.49	26	48,676.03	18	8,708,879.79	13		4
Hill County Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	14.54	23	132.26	21	41,321.9	19	6,008,479.6	18		4
Sheridan Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	9.13	4	127.02	19	37,301.61	20	3,407,330.66	22		4

Commercial Electricity Providers in Montana

Provider	Service Type	Commercial Rate (¢)	Commercial Rate Rank	Commercial Average Bill ($)	Commercial Average Bill State Rank	Commercial Sales (MWh)	Commercial Sales State Rank	Commercial Revenues ($)	Commercial Revenues State Rank	State Production (MWh)	State Production Rank
NorthWestern Energy	BUNDLED	13.16	25	379.23	18	3,126,205.51	1	411,482,607	1	3,819,674.26	1
Flathead Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	7.69	5	245.96	7	484,513	2	37,274,000	2	7,752	3
Montana Dakota Utilities	BUNDLED	11.03	17	424.9	19	267,040	3	29,458,000	3	87,316	2
Fergus Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	8.29	6	6,710.44	30	263,896.97	4	21,882,734.08	4		4
Mission Valley Power	BUNDLED	8.39	8	167.54	3	136,534.65	5	11,456,830	5		4
Glacier Electric Coop	BUNDLED	8.40	9	369.01	15	99,085.13	6	8,320,161.25	8		4
Sheridan Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	14.05	28	1,154.31	27	78,110.05	7	10,976,326.49	6		4
Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	13.04	24	443.56	21	71,071.28	8	9,268,240	7		4
Marias River Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	8.75	11	321.43	13	59,534.97	9	5,207,872.41	9		4
Missoula Electric Coop	BUNDLED	9.61	14	271.74	10	52,930.69	10	5,086,162	10		4
Hill County Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	9.57	13	1,332.32	28	44,368.99	11	4,246,101.02	11		4
Fall River Electric	BUNDLED	7.38	4	452.45	22	44,219.72	12	3,261,241.08	14		4
Lincoln Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	8.33	7	364.01	14	42,403.32	13	3,533,033.74	13		4
McCone Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	13.69	27	463.22	23	26,266.61	14	3,595,535.45	12		4
Sun River Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	9.77	15	532.58	24	26,153.11	15	2,554,768.78	17		4
Lower Yellowstone Electric REA	BUNDLED	11.21	18	301.91	12	23,785.27	16	2,666,451.67	15		4
Big Horn County Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	12.93	23	371.22	16	20,160.86	17	2,607,062.93	16		4
Ravalli Electric	BUNDLED	8.69	10	249	8	19,744.96	18	1,715,599.68	20		4
Tongue River Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	12.15	22	269.61	9	16,814.78	19	2,043,078.9	19		4
Beartooth Electric Cooperative	BUNDLED	10.80	16	225.84	6	14,531.32	20	1,569,611.23	21		4

Power Plants in Montana

Plant	City/County	Primary Fuel Type	Production (MWh)	Emission (KG)	Emissions/MWh (KG/MWh)
ColstripAvista Utilities (15.00%)NorthWestern Energy (14.91%)PacifiCorp (10.00%)Portland General Electric (20.00%)Puget Sound Energy (25.00%)Talen Energy (15.09%)	Colstrip	Coal	8,968,808	9,448,799,802.53	1,053.52
Clearwater Wind IClearwater Energy Resources LLC (100.00%)	Miles City	Wind	1,273,903
Clearwater Wind EastClearwater Wind East, LLC (100.00%)	Miles City	Wind	851,609
Pryor Mountain WindPacifiCorp (100.00%)	Carbon County	Wind	755,866
NaturEner Rim Rock EnergyNaturEner Rim Rock Energy LLC (100.00%)	Toole County	Wind	578,134
Dave Gates Generating StationNorthWestern Energy DGGS (100.00%)	Anaconda-Deer Lodge County	Natural Gas	461,620	279,032,405.54	604.46
Judith Gap Wind Energy CenterInvenergy (100.00%)	Wheatland County	Wind	421,931
Yellowstone Energy LPYellowstone Energy LP (100.00%)	Lockwood CDP	Petroleum Coke	421,068	449,984,904.62	1,068.68
Clearwater Wind IIClearwater Wind II, LLC (100.00%)	Miles City	Wind	400,809
Clearwater Wind IIIClearwater Wind III, LLC (100.00%)	Miles City	Wind	302,048
Stillwater Wind, LLCPattern Operators LP (100.00%)	Stillwater County	Wind	273,770
NaturEner Glacier Wind Energy 2NaturEner Glacier Wind Energy 2 LLC (100.00%)	Toole County	Wind	259,667
South Peak WindGreat American West Wind, LLC (100.00%)	Judith Basin County	Wind	250,217
NaturEner Glacier Wind Energy 1NaturEner Glacier Wind Energy 1 LLC (100.00%)	Toole County	Wind	225,923
Yellowstone County Generating StationNorthWestern Energy DGGS (100.00%)	Laurel	Natural Gas	213,549	97,160,553.7	454.98
Basin Creek PlantBasin Creek Power Services LLC (5.11%)Milepost Power, Inc. (94.89%)	Butte-Silver Bow	Natural Gas	181,152	89,904,227.28	496.29
MTSUNGreenbacker Renewable Energy Corporation (100.00%)	Yellowstone County	Solar	175,209
Apex SolarCRE-Apex Montana LLC (100.00%)	Beaverhead County	Solar	165,846
OREG 1 IncOrmat Nevada Inc (100.00%)	Roosevelt County	Waste Heat	154,151
OREG 2 IncOrmat Nevada Inc (100.00%)	Roosevelt County	Waste Heat	111,334

Quick Facts

Montana generates 6,172,588.96 megawatts from wind turbines. That is sufficient to rank it 20th in the United States for wind energy electricity generation.

Montana ranks 28th in the United States for solar electricity production per capita, averaging 0.34 megawatt hours produced per person.

Montana is the 15th highest polluting state based on emissions per capita. The state emits 5,829.74 kilograms per person per year of CO2 gases.

The state of Montana is ranked 40th in the United States for total electricity production, generating 27,229,240.49 megawatt hours.

Montana ranks 5th highest in hydroelectric power production, producing 9,034,865.46 megawatt hours per year from hydroelectric facilities.

Montana is ranked 5th in the US for renewable electricity generation per capita, at 13.9 megawatt hours per person each year.

Montana Counties Comparison

County	Population	Providers	Plants	Residential Rate (¢)	Residential Rate State Rank	Residential Rate National Rank	Residential Avg. Electric Bill	Residential Bill State Rank	Residential Bill National Rank
Yellowstone County	169,852	3	3	13.97	30	1,147	$114.88/mo	28	221
Gallatin County	124,857	4		13.06	23	720	$102.62/mo	9	83
Missoula County	121,041	3		11.99	14	324	$107.09/mo	19	116
Flathead County	111,814	3	1	10.03	1	45	$120.74/mo	36	334
Cascade County	84,864	3	1	14.49	39	1,448	$114.43/mo	27	212
Lewis and Clark County	73,832	3	2	13.35	25	875	$106.49/mo	18	108
Ravalli County	43,790	3		11.78	11	257	$126.47/mo	42	459
Silver Bow County	35,017	2	1	11.63	10	222	$101.83/mo	6	80
Lake County	31,030	4		11.19	5	141	$109.52/mo	22	160
Lincoln County	19,674	4		11.04	4	118	$130.25/mo	44	532
Park County	17,072	3		12.39	17	443	$105.21/mo	17	104
Hill County	16,297	2		14.34	36	1,372	$121.40/mo	39	346
Glacier County	13,827	2		11.36	7	177	$110.17/mo	23	168
Big Horn County	13,198	6	1	14.00	31	1,162	$122.35/mo	40	367
Sanders County	12,298	5		12.66	18	533	$113.68/mo	26	196
Jefferson County	12,057	2		11.79	12	262	$101.63/mo	5	79
Custer County	11,968	6	1	14.54	41	1,475	$134.71/mo	48	656
Fergus County	11,464	3		16.10	52	2,181	$130.67/mo	45	540
Richland County	11,375	5	2	11.21	6	145	$105.16/mo	16	103
Roosevelt County	10,884	5	2	11.85	13	279	$119.23/mo	35	308
Carbon County	10,488	3	1	13.94	28	1,132	$104.62/mo	15	100
Beaverhead County	9,391	2	1	10.52	2	80	$103.25/mo	14	93
Deer Lodge County	9,380	2	1	12.13	15	354	$101.20/mo	4	77
Dawson County	9,003	6		14.87	44	1,599	$112.91/mo	25	189
Stillwater County	8,916	4	1	14.08	34	1,199	$109.20/mo	21	156
Madison County	8,499	2		12.35	16	432	$100.93/mo	3	74
Rosebud County	8,464	5	4	14.47	38	1,436	$148.72/mo	53	1,156
Valley County	7,553	6		14.73	43	1,547	$146.45/mo	52	1,059
Blaine County	7,051	3		14.16	35	1,233	$120.88/mo	37	336
Powell County	6,955	2		12.87	20	622	$103.24/mo	13	92
Broadwater County	6,641	2		11.58	9	212	$101.90/mo	7	81
Teton County	6,173	2		14.70	42	1,540	$121.24/mo	38	345
Pondera County	5,974	4		14.02	32	1,176	$117.23/mo	32	266
Chouteau County	5,896	4		14.44	37	1,424	$118.10/mo	33	278
Toole County	5,013	4	3	11.48	8	193	$100.91/mo	2	73
Musselshell County	4,813	3		16.49	53	2,265	$136.38/mo	49	704
Mineral County	4,490	3		13.26	24	831	$103.02/mo	10	87
Phillips County	4,233	3		13.94	29	1,135	$123.05/mo	41	388
Sweet Grass County	3,690	4	2	12.97	21	677	$107.38/mo	20	118
Sheridan County	3,522	3		10.74	3	91	$111.32/mo	24	178
Granite County	3,333	3		13.03	22	708	$103.10/mo	11	88
Fallon County	3,074	4		14.50	40	1,451	$102.48/mo	8	82
Wheatland County	2,082	2	1	15.22	47	1,782	$118.39/mo	34	288
Liberty County	2,026	4		13.40	26	899	$116.88/mo	30	257
Judith Basin County	2,004	3	1	15.07	45	1,706	$116.50/mo	29	252
Meagher County	1,932	4		13.73	27	1,051	$103.11/mo	12	89
McCone County	1,805	5		15.97	51	2,146	$132.13/mo	46	594
Powder River County	1,759	2		15.63	48	2,038	$161.67/mo	55	1,751
Daniels County	1,739	4		12.76	19	579	$128.71/mo	43	504
Carter County	1,349	4		15.79	50	2,088	$117.22/mo	31	265
Prairie County	1,227	4		15.09	46	1,715	$132.21/mo	47	597
Wibaux County	1,018	4		15.78	49	2,082	$73.10/mo	1	4
Garfield County	972	3		17.91	56	2,494	$149.10/mo	54	1,167
Golden Valley County	820	2	1	16.62	54	2,291	$137.45/mo	50	732
Treasure County	693	4		14.03	33	1,177	$163.02/mo	56	1,824
Petroleum County	434	2		17.07	55	2,380	$141.96/mo	51	918

Montana Production Fuel Makeup

COAL

35.76%

CONVENTIONAL HYDROELECTRIC

33.18%

WIND

22.67%

NATURAL GAS

4.35%

PETROLEUM COKE

1.52%

OTHER

2.52%

Montana is the 42nd worst ranked state when it comes to total CO2 pollution, with the state consuming enough electricity to account for 6,546,023,334.74 kilograms of CO2 emissions per year. More telling of the state's pollution reality is the per capita CO2 totals. Currently that amount stands at 5,829.74 kilograms of CO2 emissions from electricity use, which results in the state being the 15th ranked state in the nation for CO2 pollution emitted per capita. Electricity producing facilities in the state most often use Coal, which makes up 9,736,100.61 megawatt hours (or 35.76%) of the fuel types used for electricity generation in the state. Adding Coal totals to Conventional Hydroelectric (33.18%) and Wind (22.67%), these three fuels make up 91.61% of the state electricity generation. Montana has 29 electricity producing plants, which is the 37th most in the country and 4th highest when counting power plants per person.

Montana has 24 out of 30 electricity suppliers reporting that they offer net metering to residents with personal solar panels. Regulations put in place at the state level are decent for consumers interested in installing solar or other alternative electricity generation sources.

The average energy loss for companies in Montana is 2.93%. This includes data from 6 companies, including NorthWestern Energy, Flathead Electric Cooperative, and Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative. The United States average for energy loss is 2.43%, which earns a rank of 25th best in the United States for Montana in this category.

When it comes to encouraging solar panel installs at private residences, tax and rebate incentives from the government are some of the easiest methods. Montana offers a credit that is $1000 or less or there is no state tax. There are currently no statewide rebates available to consumers who are installing solar panels. Montana citizens have the ability to apply a 100% property tax exemption for the purchase of private solar panels, which is as good as it gets. Fortunately, residents in the state have a 100% sales tax exemption for the install of solar at a place of residence. This is as good as it gets.

Legislation enforced at the state level determines whether customers who are seeking renewable energy sources can easily find alternatives. States that have Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) have requirements in place for electricity suppliers who do business in the state. These standards require that a certain amount of electricity must be produced from renewable fuels. Montana does not currently have any standards in place that providers must adhere to. Also, there are currently no low income solar programs to assist low income families to install solar panels.

Learn about going solar in Montana, find out which system size is best for you, compare local installers and see which incentives are available in your area.

FAQ: Common Questions About Electricity in Montana

What is a good electricity rate in Montana?

The average electricity price paid by customers in Montana in 2025 is 12.50 cents per kilowatt hour.

Where does Montana get its electricity?

Montana's electricity is produced using primarily Coal, which makes up 35.76% of the fuel used in the state. Conventional Hydroelectric and Wind also account for 33.18% and 22.67% respectively.

Does Montana have a deregulated electricity market?

No, Montana has a regulated electricity market where consumers often have only a single supplier choice for their electricity needs.

How many power plants are located in Montana?

There are 29 active power plants in Montana.

How many electric companies offer service in Montana?

Montana has 30 electricity providers operating in the area.

What is the average electric bill in Montana?

The average electric bill in the state of Montana in 2025 is $108 while the national average is $147.

What electricity company is the largest supplier in Montana?

By total megawatt hours sold, NorthWestern Energy is the largest electricity supplier in Montana.

What power companies are in Montana?

State Customers Rank	Provider	State Customers
1	NorthWestern Energy	424,786
2	Flathead Electric Cooperative	76,440
3	Montana Dakota Utilities	25,490
4	Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative	23,234
5	Mission Valley Power	23,038
6	Missoula Electric Coop	16,565
7	Ravalli Electric	12,181
8	Vigilante Electric Cooperative	11,335
9	Glacier Electric Coop	8,150
10	Fergus Electric Cooperative	7,086

What is the cheapest electricity company in Montana?

Residential Rate Rank	Provider	Residential Rate (¢)	State Customers
1	City of Troy Utilities	8.54	1,078
2	Vigilante Electric Cooperative	9.03	11,335
3	Mission Valley Power	9.04	23,038
4	Sheridan Electric Cooperative	9.18	3,811
5	Lower Yellowstone Electric REA	9.46	5,238
6	Flathead Electric Cooperative	9.76	76,440
7	Park Electric Coop	10.14	6,938
8	Marias River Electric Cooperative	10.45	3,939
9	Missoula Electric Coop	10.54	16,565
10	Ravalli Electric	10.96	12,181

Last Reviewed By: Ginalyn Gelera

Published: 2025-07-22