Wisconsin PSC approves six new solar generation facilities, 675 MW from Wisconsin Power and Light

On the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) unanimously authorized Wisconsin Power and Light Company to acquire or build, own, and operate six solar electric generation facilities to provide 675 MW to the region.

For Wisconsin Power and Light, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy, this will take the form of: 

• 200 MW of capacity from the Grant County Solar project
• 150 MW of capacity from the Wood County Solar project
• 150 MW of capacity from Onion River Solar project
• 75 MW of capacity from Crawfish River Solar project
• 50 MW of capacity from North Rock Solar project
• 50 MW of capacity from the Richland County Solar project

Until this announcement, a total of 1,078 MW of utility-scale solar generation had been approved in the state. 

“As our state and utilities continue to pursue shared goals of ensuring that all electricity consumed in Wisconsin be carbon-free by 2050, projects like these will continue to allow for the closure of coal-burning power plants while we ensure safe, reliable, and affordable service for customers,” PSC Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq said. 

In all, the projects will represent an $887 million investment on behalf of Alliant, but the company expects it to bring savings of approximately $127 million to customers. This is because the addition of these renewables will allow Alliant to retire more of its coal-fired generation, which operated at higher costs.