GREAT FALLS – Berkshire Hathaway Energy cut the ribbon on a new office in Great Falls on Thursday, April 23, 2026, part of a broader expansion of its operations in north-central Montana.
Established in 2022, BHE Montana is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy that supplies energy to its customers in Montana and across the region. The company’s energy portfolio includes wind and solar battery technology.
The new Great Falls office will support customer service, operations, and regional engagement as the company expands across the state.
“We think Montana has so much potential, in terms of electricity, power production, natural gas, it is a strategic place for us to be,” said Ed Rihm, CEO of BHE Montana, in a news release.
Governor Greg Gianforte said, “Not long ago, Great Falls was the hub that produced the electricity needed to fuel the copper boom and made Montana an economic powerhouse in the early 20th century. Today, we demand the same – this time, we need the energy to drive Montana's 21st century economy to power advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, mining, and our national defense industry.”
According to a report from the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, the demand for electricity in the region is projected to grow by 20 percent in the next ten years. The same report projected a 10 percent increase in demand only two years ago.
(JANUARY 9, 2026) The Berkshire Hathaway Energy Foundation recently announced a $1.4 million donation to Great Falls College-Montana State University to establish a first-of-its-kind NERC-certified grid operator training program.
Great Falls College-MSU said in a news release that this investment will fund the creation of a full-scale grid operations training center on the Great Falls campus, marking the first time a U.S. grid operator program will feature a dedicated on-campus training facility.
The program will prepare students for certification by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), equipping them with the skills needed to manage and monitor the nation’s electric grid.
The donation underscores Great Falls College’s growing reputation for developing tailored education programs that meet Montana’s and the nation’s workforce needs.
With the energy sector facing a nationwide shortage of qualified grid operators, the new program will position Great Falls College as a national leader in grid operations training.
“This investment is a game changer for our students and for Montana,” said Dr. Stephanie Erdmann, dean and CEO of Great Falls College. “It reflects our commitment to providing practical, career-ready education and opens the door for Montanans – and anyone seeking a future in energy – to join a vital and rewarding profession.”
Construction of the grid operations training center is expected to begin in early 2026, with the first cohort of students enrolling in fall 2026.
