Our Company

For over 100 years, NorthWestern Energy, and its predecessor Montana Power, has been at the heart of Montana’s power infrastructure, providing reliable and affordable energy solutions to residents across the state. As the demands of energy consumers continue to evolve, NorthWestern is constantly adapting to ensure long-term reliability and affordability. A key part of this effort is a proposed regulatory rate review. We appreciate all the local businesses, organizations, and residents who recently testified in favor of the review to help maintain the reliability of energy services while managing the growing challenges posed by extreme weather, wildfires, and increasing demand for power.

Montanans need reliable energy service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. NorthWestern’s role in meeting that demand is a critical one. We have made significant investments in infrastructure and technology, ensuring that our services meet the high standards of safety, reliability, and efficiency that Montana residents expect. In fact, NorthWestern customers experienced 99.98 percent reliability in 2023, placing the utility in the first quartile of energy companies nationwide. Additionally, energy bills for Montana customers are consistently lower than the national average, thanks to NorthWestern’s efficient operations and careful management.

However, maintaining that high level of reliability, while preparing for future energy needs and extreme weather events, requires continued investment in both infrastructure and technology. The last decade has seen a focus on grid resiliency, a priority that grows ever more important as weather events like wildfires, storms, and cold snaps become more frequent and severe. NorthWestern’s proactive approach includes upgrades to electrical systems, better monitoring through advanced field cameras, and aerial and ground assessments to detect potential issues before they cause damage or disruptions.

Moreover, the utility is working hard to address challenges related to the growing demand for energy. By expanding its capacity for on-demand power and embracing renewable energy sources like wind and solar, NorthWestern is ensuring that it can meet energy needs while also protecting the environment. In fact, about 60 percent of the energy serving NorthWestern’s Montana customers is carbon-free, well above the national average of 40 percent. These initiatives not only help ensure the utility is operating as sustainably as we can but also support efforts to integrate renewable energy into the grid in a way that doesn’t sacrifice reliability.