NorthWestern Energy will purchase a 24MW wind project to be developed by Invenergy Wind in north-central Montana, US, under a memorandum of understanding.

The project will be constructed on a portion of Invenergy’s proposed 200MW Big Otter Wind Energy Project site near Belt, Montana.

The plant is to be placed into the Montana utility’s rate base, with energy and associated renewable energy credits that meet future renewable portfolio standard obligations.

After the submission of an application to the Montana Public Service Commission for a pre-approval, an anticipated decision is expected in early 2012.

The agreement is expected to be executed in the first quarter of 2011 and construction will begin in the last quarter of 2012.