A co-owner in the Colstrip coal-fired power plant and transmission system says it plans to build a wind farm in south central Montana.
The 248 megawatt wind farm to be sited in Stillwater County would produce enough electricity for over 80,000 homes a year, Puget Sound Energy announced Thursday. It will direct the energy it generates to customers on the west coast.
The Washington-based utility currently owns a portion of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant. Puget Sound Energy’s deadline is required to transition away from coal under Washington’s clean energy laws.
Puget Sound Energy says the Beaver Creek Wind farm will employ 10 to 15 people once it’s in operation, and construction is slated to begin in spring 2024.
A representative was not available by the deadline for this story.
Edit December 19: In 2022, Colstrip power plant operator Talen Energy and co-owner Puget Sound Energy announced Talen would acquire Puget's shares in the plant. A previous version of this story incorrectly described Puget Sound Energy's future plans for its ownership in the Colstrip Power Plant.
