Data center developer unveils huge power plans north of Billings
Quantica Infrastructure, a data center company planning to build north of Billings, announced plans to generate 7,235 megawatts of power, exceeding Montana's current generation capacity. This massive proposal includes 1,785 megawatts of gas-fired generation and is currently in the interconnection study phase with NorthWestern Energy. The company states it will cover all associated costs to avoid impacting ratepayers.
Quantica Infrastructure, a data center developer with plans north of Billings, Montana, has announced an ambitious proposal to generate 7,235 megawatts of power, a figure surpassing the state's current total generation. This significant power capacity is intended to support multiple data center companies and would connect to the electrical grid near Broadview. Quantica CEO John Chesser emphasized that this expansion represents a substantial increase in investment in Montana, promising economic opportunities, construction jobs, and a stronger state power grid.
The announcement closely followed a Billings Gazette investigation that revealed Quantica's intention to build 1,785 megawatts of gas-fired generation, which would dwarf all existing gas plants in Montana. The company clarified that the timing of their press release coincided with their applications entering the study phase with NorthWestern Energy, a multi-year process. Quantica acknowledged that the maximum output wouldn't be consistent due to power fluctuations and stated that "firming generation" could include natural gas, geothermal, and other sources.
Interconnection applications, which can take years, are a critical step in assessing grid capacity. NorthWestern Energy spokesperson Jo Dee Black confirmed that an unnamed developer submitted 20 interconnection requests in March for 8,435 megawatts of wind, solar, gas, and energy storage, strategically positioned near the Broadview substation. These applications include significant gas-fired capacity (totaling 1,835 MW), 1,600 megawatts for wind, 3,600 megawatts for solar, and 1,600 megawatts for energy storage. Quantica's chief accounting officer, Charlie Baker, assured that Quantica would cover all associated project costs, alleviating concerns about potential impacts on Montana ratepayers. The in-service dates for these projects range from 2029 to 2032, with Quantica aiming for a late 2029 start for its data center.