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  <xsd:element id="nwe_NumberOfJointOwnershipInterestElectricGeneratingPlants" name="NumberOfJointOwnershipInterestElectricGeneratingPlants" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="nwe_NumberOfMegawattsOfQualifyingFacility" name="NumberOfMegawattsOfQualifyingFacility" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="nwe_NumberOfYearsForEnvironmentalRemediationObligationToBeIncurred" name="NumberOfYearsForEnvironmentalRemediationObligationToBeIncurred" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="us-types:durationStringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
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  <xsd:element id="nwe_PercentageOfInterestEarnedOnElectricAndNaturalGasSupplyCosts" name="PercentageOfInterestEarnedOnElectricAndNaturalGasSupplyCosts" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="nwe_PhysicalPurchaseAndSaleOfGasAndElectricityAtFixedPrices" name="PhysicalPurchaseAndSaleOfGasAndElectricityAtFixedPrices" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
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  <xsd:element id="nwe_ScheduleOfPensionAndPostretirementBenefitsInvestmentStrategyTableTextBlock" name="ScheduleOfPensionAndPostretirementBenefitsInvestmentStrategyTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
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  <xsd:element id="nwe_ShortTermDebtUnsecuredMaximumAggregateOutstandingAmountIssuable" name="ShortTermDebtUnsecuredMaximumAggregateOutstandingAmountIssuable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
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</xsd:schema>


