Montana energy storage project lines up financial partner

BILLINGS, Mont. — Developers of a 400-megawatt energy storage system proposed in central Montana say they expect to start construction as soon as next year after inking a financial agreement for the $1 billion project.

Absaroka Energy President Carl Borgquist said Friday that Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners of Denmark has agreed to line up financing for the project near Martinsdale.

Known as the Gordon Butte Pumped Storage Hydro Project, it's intended to make wind turbines and other renewable energy sources more reliable by storing the electricity they produce until it's needed.

Described as a "hydro battery," it would use excess power produced by wind farms or other sources to pump water uphill to a 3,000-foot long reservoir. The water would be released during periods of high electricity demand, turning hydropower turbines to generate power.