With a foundation that now includes: a company-wide electric generation portfolio that provided approximately 56% of our customers’ energy from carbon-free resources in 2021; investments in our natural gas system to reduce methane and carbon emissions; investments in a more efficient, reliable and flexible energy grid; and energy efficiency efforts to reduce customer demand, we believe Net Zero by 2050 is an achievable target.
“NorthWestern Energy begins this transition to an even cleaner energy future building on the considerable progress we have already made,” said
“We have the tremendous honor to be the stewards of this critical energy infrastructure that delivers safe and reliable energy to our region. Now is the time to raise the bar and start the transition to Net Zero by 2050.”
Our new on-demand natural gas plants in
In our natural gas operation we are making investments and operational changes to reduce our methane emission 30% by 2030 from a 2020 base. New technologies and additional pipeline infrastructure investments will be used to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
Carbon offsets will be required for any small remaining natural gas system methane or carbon emissions by 2050, as well as the occasional use for natural gas generation resources required to meet customers’ peak energy needs.
Long-duration capacity is critical for reliability, especially during winter weather in NorthWestern Energy’s service area. Our transition to Net Zero by 2050 will include deploying technology and resources in the future as they become operationally sound and cost-effective. This particularly includes long-duration generation and storage strategies, to integrate and balance intermittent resources and to meet our customers’ needs during extended winter and summer periods of peak demand. We are sufficiently confident in technological advances that we have committed to only procuring non-carbon emitting generation resources after 2035.
Today
NorthWestern Energy’s Net Zero by 2050 commitment is also secured by:
- Existing and future enhancement of our energy efficiency programs and potential demand response options such as time-of-use rates developed with stakeholders, that would allow customers and communities to reduce their emissions, while reducing the company’s emissions.
- Investments in a smarter, modernized power grid that will leverage the deployment of 700,000 advanced meters to enhance the grid’s reliability and efficiency and also to help customers reduce their carbon footprints by providing better information to allow them to manage their energy use.
- Clean electrification of the transportation sector, including our company’s fleet as we replace vehicles and equipment at the end of their useful lives with electric alternatives; and also support needed infrastructure to support electric vehicles.
- Employee-initiated sustainable procurement and practice guidelines to make our offices and operating divisions more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
- Collaborating with our communities and stakeholders on strategies for reaching the 2050 net zero emissions goal reliably, safely and affordably, and to help them achieve their own sustainability goals.
- The conversion of 88,000 street and other lights to LEDs.
Success will require thoughtful policy and regulatory support.
“We are stewards of over
“This commitment builds on our 2019 target to reduce the carbon intensity of our
For more information about NorthWestern Energy’s goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, visit NorthWesternEnergy.com/NetZero.
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About
Investor Relations Contact:
605-978-2967
travis.meyer@northwestern.com
Media Contacts:
866-622-8081
jodee.black@northwestern.com
Source:
2022 GlobeNewswire, Inc., source