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98.1 MW Hydro operating in Sanders, MT — NorthWestern Energy (NWMT)
98.1 MW
Nameplate Capacity
7
Generators
units
Conventional Hydroelectric
Technology
1915
Operating Since
Coordinates
47.5932, -115.3582
County
Sanders, MT
| Field | EIA | GEM | Wikidata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | NorthWestern Energy (MT Hydro) | NorthWestern Energy | — |
| Owner(s) | NorthWestern Energy (MT Hydro) | NorthWestern Energy Group | — |
| Status | Operating | operating | — |
Thompson Falls Dam is a dam in Sanders County, Montana, in the northwestern part of the state.
Read more on WikipediaThe Thompson Falls hydroelectric plant is located in Sanders County, Montana. It is owned and operated by NorthWestern Energy (MT Hydro), a subsidiary of NorthWestern Energy Group. The plant has a total capacity of 98.1 MW consisting of 7 generators utilizing conventional hydroelectric technology. Thompson Falls began operating in 1915 and is the 7th largest power plant in Montana out of 23, and the 196th largest in the United States out of 1464 plants.
In the most recent year with available data, Thompson Falls generated 436,437 MWh, achieving a capacity factor of 50.6%. The plant operates within the NorthWestern Energy (NWMT) balancing authority and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) NERC region. Financial data indicates an installed cost of $1,014,771.12 per kW, according to FERC filings.
Generated from EIA, GEM, and public data sources
Grid Region
Mountain West
Market
WEIM Participant
NERC Region
WECC — Western Electricity Coordinating Council
Balancing Authority
34.2K MWh
Latest Month
436.4K MWh
Annual Generation
50.6%
Capacity Factor
Energy storage · NorthWestern Corporation · Data from 2015–2024
$1,032/kW
Installed Cost
$3.5/MWh
Operating Cost
Annual Capital & Operating Expenses
Cumulative Installed Cost
Per-Unit Cost Trends
This plant's balancing authority participates in CAISO's Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM). Direct nodal pricing data is not yet available.
Last updated 2026-03-26
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ask pi about Thompson FallsNorthWestern Energy (NWMT) (NWMT)
Grid Voltage
115.0 kV
Regulatory Status
RE — Regulated
Entity Type
Investor-Owned Utility
Sector
Electric Utility