Yellowstone County Generating Station — Plant Summary
- EIA Plant ID
- 67766
- Capacity
- 207 MW
- Primary Fuel
- Natural Gas
- Technology
- Natural Gas Internal Combustion Engine
- Status
- Operating
- Location
- Yellowstone, MT
- Operating Since
- 2024
- Generators
- 18
- Operator
- NorthWestern Energy (MT wind/thermal)
- Parent Company
- —
- Annual Generation
- 383,412 MWh
- Capacity Factor
- 21.2%
- Balancing Authority
- NorthWestern Energy (NWMT)
- ISO/RTO
- —
- NERC Region
- WECC
Yellowstone County Generating Station
OperatingNatural Gas
Ranked #1 of 7 Natural Gas plants in MT#742 of 2009 nationally
207 MW Natural Gas operating in Yellowstone, MT — NorthWestern Energy (NWMT)
EIA
207 MW
Nameplate Capacity
18
Generators
units
Natural Gas Internal Combustion Engine
Technology
2024
Operating Since
Location
Coordinates
45.6599, -108.7608
County
Yellowstone, MT
Nearby Plants
- Beartooth Energy Storage LLCBESS50 MW · 14.2 km
- Western Sugar Cooperative - BillingsSub. Coal1.5 MW · 23.5 km
- Phillips 66 Billings RefineryOther Gas1.6 MW · 24.6 km
Ownership & Operator
| Field | EIA | GEM | Wikidata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | NorthWestern Energy (MT wind/thermal) | — | — |
| Owner(s) | NorthWestern Energy (MT wind/thermal) | — | — |
| Status | Operating | — | — |
Ownership Chain
No GEM tracker match for this plant — ownership chain unavailable.
About
Yellowstone County Generating Station is a 207 MW natural gas-fired power plant located in Yellowstone County, Montana. The facility, which began operating in 2024, is owned and operated by NorthWestern Energy (MT wind/thermal). It utilizes 18 natural gas internal combustion engine generators. The plant is within the NorthWestern Energy (NWMT) balancing authority and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) NERC region.
In its most recent year of operation, the Yellowstone County Generating Station produced 383,412 MWh of electricity, achieving a capacity factor of 21.2%. The plant's installed cost was $1,648.01 per kW, according to FERC data. The Yellowstone County Generating Station is ranked as the largest of 3 natural gas plants in Montana and 741st out of 945 similar plants nationally.
Generated from EIA, GEM, and public data sources
Engineering & Generators
Grid Context
NERC Region
WECC
Balancing Authority
NorthWestern Energy (NWMT)
Grid Voltage
100 kV
Regulatory Status
RE
Entity Type
Investor-Owned Utility
Sector
Electric Utility
Generation
30.0K MWh
Latest Month
383.4K MWh
Annual Generation
21.2%
Capacity Factor
Financial DataBeta
Source: FERC Form 1HIGH
$1,648/kW
Installed Cost
$49.6/MWh
Operating Cost
NorthWestern Corporation
Reporting Utility
Annual Capital & Operating Expenses
Pricing & Market Data
This plant is outside organized wholesale electricity markets (ISOs/RTOs). Nodal pricing data is not available.
News & Articles (10)Beta
Regulatory·rate case
Public Service Commission approves $246 million for Yellowstone plant
The Montana Public Service Commission approved the Yellowstone County Generating Station at $246 million, less than what NorthWestern...
Montana Public Service Commission (regulator)NorthWestern (other)
Daily Montanan·4 months ago
Regulatory·rate case
Montana utility board: NorthWestern can put $246 million of its new gas plant into customers’ rates
Montana's utility board is poised to incorporate approximately $246 million for NorthWestern Energy's recently constructed gas plant into...
NorthWestern Energy (other)
Montana Free Press·4 months ago
Regulatory·rate case
Montana PSC approves partial rate increase for NorthWestern Energy
After two days of discussion and debate, the Montana Public Service Commission has made its decision on NorthWestern Energy's proposals to...
Montana Public Service Commission (regulator)NorthWestern Energy (other)
KTVH·4 months ago
Regulatory·rate case
NorthWestern Energy built Laurel plant without evaluating more affordable options, PSC analysts say
Montana Public Service Commission analysts recommend disallowing $45M in cost overruns to build methane-fired plant...
NorthWestern Energy (other)Montana Public Service Commission (regulator)
Daily Montanan·4 months ago
Last updated 2026-03-14
View all 10 articles