32nd largest plant in Montana · 3454th nationally
Ryan is a hydroelectric power plant in Montana with a nameplate capacity of 55.2 MW. It generates roughly 486.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 46,310 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 101% means it runs nearly around-the-clock as baseload generation.
| Plant Name | Ryan |
|---|---|
| Operator | Northwestern Energy (Mt Hydro) |
| City | Great Falls |
| County | Cascade County |
| State | Montana |
| ZIP | 59404 |
| Coordinates | 47.56994, -111.12255 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RYA1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 9.2 MW | Operating | 1915 |
| RYA2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 9.2 MW | Operating | 1915 |
| RYA3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 9.2 MW | Operating | 1915 |
| RYA4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 9.2 MW | Operating | 1915 |
| RYA5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 9.2 MW | Operating | 1916 |
| RYA6 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 9.2 MW | Operating | 1916 |
| 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.