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.
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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 March 25, 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
**May 28, 2025TBD
  • What is an IRP? Energy vs. Capacity
  • Pros vs. Cons of different resource types
  • Sources of Generation (owned, contracted, QF, Market)
7June 25, 2025TBD
  • Review of Preliminary Modeling Outputs
  • Presentation of Draft Plan
**June 26, 20259:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Review of Preliminary Modeling Outputs
  • Presentation of Draft Plan
8Sept. 3, 20259:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Review of final modeling outputs
  • Draft Plan Check-In
    **Sept. 10, 2025TBD
    • PRESENTATION ONLY
    • Review of final modeling outputs
    • Review Draft Plan
    9Dec. 17, 20259:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
    • Presentation of Final Draft IRP
    *** Dec. 18, 2025 
    • PRESENTATION ONLY
    • Presentation of Final Draft IRP
     * March 20, 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 

     

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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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