NorthWestern Energy Seeks Cost Information on Montana Capacity Projects

BUTTE, Mont., July 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NorthWestern Energy Corporation (dba NorthWestern) today issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking information on new or existing capacity resources which could include, but not be limited to: electric generation, energy storage, and demand response (DR)/demand side management (DSM) products. NorthWestern is interested in information for capacity products across its Montana Service Territory or in the greater Northwest U.S. region to serve its peak demand, which occurs primarily in the winter months and during some summer demand periods. The peak demand periods are generally served by dispatchable generation resources.

Montana State law requires NorthWestern to conduct an evaluation of its electric supply and demand-side planning portfolio to identify least-cost and low-risk alternatives to deliver energy services to its Montana customers. The Montana Public Service Commission's comments to NorthWestern's Montana 2015 Electric Supply Resource Procurement Plan ("Plan") included a request to solicit information on available capacity resource alternatives for consideration in the 2018 Plan (supplemental comments for Docket No. N2015.11.91).

Respondents should refer to the RFI and supporting documents to learn about the potential capacity products of interest to NorthWestern. The types of products and requirements outlined in the RFI documents are intended to serve as a guideline for the types of resources that are of interest to NorthWestern; other capacity products may be offered if Respondents feel they will provide benefit to NorthWestern. Respondents are encouraged to provide sufficient detail on each project in order to provide NorthWestern with a clear and concise understanding of the type of resource that is available and its associated costs.

RFI responses are due on July 30^th, 2018, at 5:00 PM (MDT).

HDR will administer the RFI and serve as the point of contact for those submitting responses. To request a copy of this RFI and for all inquiries contact HDR at [email protected].

SOURCE NorthWestern Energy