Around 6 months after announcing to have up to 1 GW of solar energy generation capacity in Wisconsin by the end of 2023, Alliant Energy is now moving ahead with its plans. The US public utility company said it wants to acquire and advance 675 MW of solar which will make it the 'largest owner-operator of solar in Wisconsin'.
These projects will come up in mostly rural areas in 6 counties of Wisconsin. Alliant Energy has identified these 6 projects as the following:
On completion and grid connection, this 675 MW capacity will generate enough clean power to supply electricity to 175,000 homes annually, along with providing around $80 million in local tax revenues over the next 30 years.
To acquire and advance these projects, Alliant Energy will file a Certificate of Authority application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) expecting a decision in H1/2021.
The 1 GW solar power goal is part of the utility's Clean Energy Blueprint strategy under which it will eliminate all existing coal from its energy mix by 2050 while aiming for over 30% of its energy mix to come from renewables by 2030 as well as decrease water supply needs from fossil-fueled generation by 75%.
The announcement for these 6 solar projects comes soon after Alliant Energy said it was retiring its 380 MW Edgewater Coal Power Generating Station in Sheboygan County by the end of 2022 – and together these measures will help it in its goal of reducing CO2 emission from fossil-fueled generation by 40%.