NorthWestern Energy has announced it is to upgrade three turbine units at Ryan Dam near Great Falls in Montana, US, adding an additional 5MW of generating capacity to the project.
The US$3.7 million project, to be completed between 2017 and 2020, will allow the units to use water more efficiently and will boostthe dam’s maximum capacity to 71MW.
“Our hydro facilities provide more electricity generation to meet our customers’ needs than any other type of generation,” said John Hines, NorthWestern’s vice president, Supply. “We expected upgrades like this would be possible when we purchased the dams several years ago and are excited to move forward on these very low-cost upgrades – especially because unlike other types of renewable generation, hydroelectricity can be counted on night and day and during times when our customers’ needs are greatest.”
Completed in 1915, the dam was originally called the Volta Plant. It was later named for John D. Ryan, president of the Montana Power Co. At its completion, the dam was believed to be the largest and most modern hydroelectric plant west of the Mississippi River
The dam is one of five NorthWestern Energy hydroelectric dams near Great Falls. The company owns a total of 11 hydro facilities across Montana.
