2nd largest plant in Montana · 711th nationally
Libby is a hydroelectric power plant in Montana with a nameplate capacity of 525 MW. It generates roughly 1.6M MWh per year — enough to power about 150,591 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 34% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Libby |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usace Northwestern Division |
| City | Libby |
| County | Lincoln County |
| State | Montana |
| ZIP | 59923 |
| Coordinates | 48.40980, -115.31430 |
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 105 MW | Operating | 1975 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 105 MW | Operating | 1975 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 105 MW | Operating | 1976 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 105 MW | Operating | 1976 |
| 5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 105 MW | Operating | 1984 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Bonneville Power Administration |
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.