Published on November 14, 2024 by Kim Riley

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We Energies, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, recently filed plans with Wisconsin regulators to buy two large-scale renewable energy projects that would add a total of 165 megawatts (MW) of new solar power to the grid, enough energy to power about 50,000 homes.

The utility, which provides affordable, reliable, and clean energy to more than 2.2 million customers in Wisconsin and also serves steam customers in downtown Milwaukee, filed its plans in October with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin.

If approved, the new Good Oak Solar Farm and Gristmill Solar Farm projects will be built in Columbia County, Wis., using union labor and workers from across the state, according to We Energies.

Additionally, if Wisconsin regulators approve the plans, then the facilities would be jointly owned by We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, and Madison Gas and Electric. The power produced would serve customers across the state, according to We Energies.

The two new proposed project purchases follow plans We Energies filed in September with the PSC of Wisconsin to build five new large-scale renewable energy projects. 

In total, the projects would add 500 MW of new solar power and 180 MW of wind power to the grid, enough energy to power about 250,000 homes. The projects also include 100 MW of new battery storage, said We Energies.

“These renewable energy projects are part of our commitment to build a bright, sustainable future and provide customers affordable, reliable and clean energy,” We Energies President Mike Hooper said in September. “As we close our older, less-efficient fossil fuel plants, projects like these — along with our proposed highly efficient natural gas plants — will help power the grid and make sure customers have the energy they depend on.”

The five proposed projects are the Dawn Harvest Solar Energy Center in Rock County, Wis.; the Saratoga Solar Energy Center in Wood County, Wis.; the Ursa Solar Park in Columbia County, Wis.; the Badger Hollow Wind Farm in Iowa and Grant counties, Wis.; and the Whitetail Wind Farm in Grant County, Wis.

The projects will be eligible for federal tax credits, Hooper said.