44th largest plant in Montana · 4900th nationally
Hauser is a hydroelectric power plant in Montana with a nameplate capacity of 19.1 MW. It generates roughly 142.8k MWh per year — enough to power about 13,597 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 85% means it runs nearly around-the-clock as baseload generation.
| Plant Name | Hauser |
|---|---|
| Operator | Northwestern Energy (Mt Hydro) |
| City | Helena |
| County | Lewis And Clark County |
| State | Montana |
| ZIP | 59602 |
| Coordinates | 46.76594, -111.88734 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAU2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.9 MW | Retired | 1911 |
| HAU10 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.5 MW | Under Construction | — |
| HAU11 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.5 MW | Operating | 2021 |
| HAU12 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.5 MW | Planned | — |
| HAU7 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.5 MW | Operating | 2019 |
| HAU8 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.5 MW | Operating | 2022 |
| HAU9 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.5 MW | Planned | — |
| HAU6 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 3.0 MW | Operating | 1915 |
| HAU1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.8 MW | Retired | 1911 |
| HAU3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.8 MW | Operating | 1911 |
| HAU4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.8 MW | Retired | 1911 |
| HAU5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.8 MW | Retired | 1911 |
| 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.