Puget Sound Energy announces development of new solar project

Puget Sound Energy announced a groundbreaking for a 130-megawatt solar array near Rapelje in southcentral Montana.

Called the “Battle Butte Solar Project,” it’s expected to provide enough energy for 20,000 homes as the company looks to comply with Washington state law, which reduces the amount of power generated from fossil fuels and increases renewables. Puget Sound Energy provides electricity and energy services for a broad swath of northwestern Washington. The company has worked in Montana since the 1970s and this project is expected to add about 250 construction jobs.

PSE also has another facility nearby, the recently completed 248 MW Beaver Creek Wind Project.

“Battle Butte solar represents a critical component of our clean energy strategy,” Craig Pospisil, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer for PSE said in a press release. “This project will give us the opportunity to build upon the positive relationships we’ve forged with our neighbors in Stillwater County through the development of the Beaver Creek Wind facility and it positions PSE to meet our customers’ growing clean energy needs.”

PSE said that since 2019 they’ve added 22 long-term clean energy projects totalling about 4,000MW.

Local leaders also hailed the project.

“We look forward to Battle Butte bringing construction jobs, tax revenue and new economic activity to Stillwater County while adding another important piece to Montana’s all-of-the-above energy portfolio,” said Roger Webb, Stillwater County Commissioner. “Throughout the process of developing both Beaver Creek and Battle Butte, PSE has shown a commitment to working with our county and investing in Montana while being a good neighbor – we look forward to the ongoing partnership.”

The project will sit in the high plains near Rapelje on 1,400 acres of flat, open ranch land with full site control. PSE hosted an open house sharing information and answering questions about the Battle Butte Solar Project in Rapelje at the end of January. Construction is expected to start this fall with an anticipated completion date in mid-2028.

As part of Montana’s “all-of-the-above” energy economy, PSE continues to build energy projects and partner with energy producers throughout the state. PSE has power purchase agreements with Energy Keepers, Inc., the tribally owned corporation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for hydroelectric power, and an agreement with NextEra for power from Montana’s largest wind farm, Clearwater Wind, based in Rosebud, Custer and Garfield Counties as well as a long-term contract with Clearway Energy Group for wind from Haymaker Wind Farm in Wheatland and Meagher counties.

PSE has already eliminated coal from its energy portfolio at the end of 2025 and added 22 long-term clean energy resources totaling more than 4,000 MW since 2019, when the Clean Energy Transformation Act was passed.