29th largest plant in Montana · 3342nd nationally
Cochrane is a hydroelectric power plant in Montana with a nameplate capacity of 60.4 MW. It generates roughly 244.7k MWh per year — enough to power about 23,305 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 46% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Cochrane |
|---|---|
| Operator | Northwestern Energy (Mt Hydro) |
| City | Great Falls |
| County | Cascade County |
| State | Montana |
| ZIP | 59404 |
| Coordinates | 47.53750, -111.19497 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COC2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 32.0 MW | Operating | 1958 |
| COC1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 28.4 MW | Operating | 1958 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Northwestern Energy (Nwmt) |
Hydroelectric plants spin turbines using falling or flowing water — typically from a dam-impounded reservoir. They are dispatchable, long-lived, and emission-free at the point of generation, though large reservoirs can disrupt rivers and ecosystems and methane can be released from flooded vegetation.