NorthWestern Energy Issues RFP for Energy Supply Resources for Montana

NorthWestern Energy NWE has issued a Request for Proposal seeking energy supply resources to serve Montana customers beginning in 2014. NorthWestern Energy is seeking up to 100 megawatts (MW) of firm supply for the period of January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017 at Mid-C or on NorthWestern's system and up to 300 MW of firm supply for the period of July 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 on the NorthWestern system.  NorthWestern has been constantly readjusting its supply portfolio over the past few years to integrate market priced contracts with owned generation to provide a flexible and diverse mix of resources designed to provide lasting rate stability.  According to NorthWestern Energy's Vice President of Energy Supply, John Hines, the recent RFP is a continuation of that strategy. "This RFP is meant to address, in part, the roll-off of the existing seven-year contract with PPL Montana," explained Hines.  "The terms of these new contracts are meant to serve as a bridge to a longer-term solution, which may include the construction of a new generation source or strategic acquisition of an existing source."  Hines anticipates that power supply costs resulting from this RFP See full press release