We Energies is seeking approval from the state Public Service Commission to acquire or build nearly 3,000 megawatts of new electricity generating capacity to meet increased demand from data centers and other customers.
Combined, the projects come with a $5.4 billion price tag, the majority of which will be covered by data center users like Microsoft, Open AI, Oracle and Vantage, according to BizTimes Milwaukee.
WEC Energy Group, the parent company of We Energies, said in its five-year capital plan unveiled in late October that it anticipates adding 3,400 megawatts of demand to its Wisconsin segment by 2030, a 40% increase.
The plan announced Wednesday includes the acquisition of seven solar power projects, two natural gas powered projects, a battery storage project and updates to the company’s existing Elm Road plant in Oak Creek and its Port Washington power plant.
Solar and battery plants We Energies would acquire include:
- The 100-megawatt Sinissippi solar project, which covers 3,198 acres in Concord, Farmington, Ixonia and Watertown in Jefferson County. It is being development by Invenergy and is targeting a December 2028 in-service. The cost is $276.8 million.
- The 180-megawatt Whitewater solar project, which covers 2,400 acres in Cold Spring, La Grange and Whitewater in Jefferson and Walworth counties. It is being developed by DESRI LLC and is targeting a December 2028 in-service. The cost is $410.8 million
- The 360-megawatt Dawn Break solar and battery storage project, which covers 2,250 acres in Oasis, Plainfield, Deerfield and Hancock in Waushara County. It is being developed by Ranger Power and is targeting a September 2029 in-service. The cost is $775 million.
- The 225-megawatt Emerald Bluffs solar project, which covers 3,700 acres in Lemonweir and Seven Mile Creek in Juneau County. It is being developed by EDP Renewables and has a May 2029 in-service target. The cost is $566.9 million.
- The 100-megawatt Fox Solar project, which covers 1,150 acres in Morgan in Oconto County. It is being developed by NextEra Energy Resources with a December 2028 in-service target. The cost is $264.7 million
- The 200-megawatt Akron solar project, which covers 2,400 acres in Rome and Saratoga in Adams and Wood counties. It is being developed by NextEra Energy Resources and is targeting a July 2029 in-service. The cost is $512 million.
- The 150-megawatt Superior solar project, which covers 1,000 acres in Richmond in Marquette County, Michigan. It is being developed by Invenergy with a December 2029 in-service target. The cost is $393.1 million.
The natural gas projects in the plan include:
- $132 million in upgrades to convert coal-fired units at the Elm Road plant in Oak Creek to natural gas.
- $227 million for upgrades to the Port Washington power plant
- $564.2 million to acquire the 270-megawatt Foundry Ridge natural gas power plant in Darien in Walworth County. That project is being developed by Invenergy and is targeting a December 2028 in-service.
- $1.77 billion to acquire the 1,125-megawatt Red Oak Ridge natural gas power plant in Paris in Kenosha County. The project is being developed by Invenergy and has a partial in-service target of December 2029 and is aiming for full commercial operation by June 30, 2030.
