Electricity rates in Helena, MT
Helena (32,091 people, Lewis and Clark County) is served by 4 electric utilities. Homes on NorthWestern Energy pay about 15.71¢/kWh, 14% more than the Montana average.
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Electric companies serving Helena
| Utility | Type | Rate | Avg bill | Homes (statewide) | Outage min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NorthWestern Energy | Investor-owned utility | 15.71¢ | $111 | 334K | 125 |
| Vigilante Electric Co-op | Electric cooperative | 10.68¢ | $152 | 11K | — |
| Sun River Electric Co-op | Electric cooperative | 14.31¢ | $191 | 6,300 | 79 |
| WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration | Federal utility | — | — | 0 | — |
Power outages in Lewis and Clark County right now
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Outage history in Lewis and Clark County
| 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Outage minutes per customer | 218 | 506 |
| Days with outages | 30 | 35 |
| Most customers out at once | 3,211 (9.8%) | 12,309 (37.4%) |
| Worst day | 2024-05-07 | 2025-06-03 |
Outage minutes by month, 2025
More outage time than 2024 (218 min). Data: ORNL EAGLE-I county outage snapshots every 15 minutes, covering all utilities in the county.
Nearby cities
- Helena West Side 15.7¢
- Helena Valley West Central 15.7¢
- Helena Valley Southeast 15.7¢
- East Helena 15.7¢
- Montana City 15.7¢
- Helena Valley Northeast 15.7¢
- Clancy 15.7¢
- Boulder 15.7¢
- Townsend 15.7¢
- Deer Lodge 15.7¢
ZIP codes: 59601, 59602, 59604, 59620, 59623, 59624, 59625, 59626
Frequently asked questions
What is the electricity rate in Helena?
Most homes in Helena get power from NorthWestern Energy, where residential customers pay an average of 15.71¢/kWh including all charges. The Montana average is 13.84¢ and the U.S. average 17.99¢. Other utilities serving parts of Helena: Vigilante Electric Co-op (10.68¢), Sun River Electric Co-op (14.31¢).
What is the average electric bill in Helena?
About $111 a month, based on 707 kWh a month (the average for NorthWestern Energy customers) at 15.71¢/kWh. Homes with electric heat, pools or EVs pay more.
Who is the electric company in Helena, MT?
4 utilities serve Helena's ZIP codes: NorthWestern Energy, Vigilante Electric Co-op, Sun River Electric Co-op, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration. Which one serves you depends on your street address.
How often does the power go out in Helena?
In 2025, customers in Lewis and Clark County averaged 8 hr 26 min without power. Outages hit 35 days of the year, and the worst day was 2025-06-03, when 12,309 customers (37.4%) were out. Source: ORNL EAGLE-I.