MGE to Add More Solar and Battery Storage with Purchase of Koshkonong Solar Energy Center

Rhea-AI Summary

Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), in collaboration with We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service, received approval to purchase solar energy and battery storage from the Koshkonong Solar Energy Center. MGE will own 30 MW of solar energy and 16.5 MW of battery storage, sufficient to power 9,000 households. The project is part of MGE's goal to achieve a net-zero carbon electricity by 2050, targeting an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. The Koshkonong center is expected to begin operations in late 2025, contributing to MGE's significant expansion of renewable capacity by over nine times since 2015.

Positive

• MGE aims for a net-zero carbon electricity by 2050.
• Project expected to power 9,000 households with renewable energy.
• Approval for Koshkonong Solar Energy Center aligns with MGE's carbon reduction goals.
• MGE's renewable capacity expected to increase significantly, enhancing market position.

Negative

• None.

Approval to purchase a share of the Dane County project is latest step toward achieving MGE's net-zero carbon electricity goal

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), in partnership with We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group, received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to purchase solar energy and battery storage from the Koshkonong Solar Energy Center. MGE will own 30 megawatts (MW) of solar energy and 16.5 MW of battery storage from the facility located in the towns of Christiana and Deerfield in Dane County.

"The Koshkonong Solar Energy Center continues the progress we've already made reducing carbon emissions, increasing cost-effective renewable energy and advancing new technologies to benefit all our customers," said Jeff Keebler, MGE Chairman, President and CEO. "We are working aggressively to reduce our carbon emissions at least 80% from 2005 levels by the end of this decade and achieve net-zero carbon electricity by 2050. We are doing this while working to ensure all our customers experience the economic and environmental benefits of our ongoing clean energy transition."

Koshkonong Solar Energy Center

The project will include a 300-MW solar array and a 165-MW battery storage system. It is expected to generate enough clean energy to power about 90,000 households. MGE's share of the output will power about 9,000 households.

We Energies and WPS will own the remaining 270 MW of the output and 148.5 MW of battery storage from the project. Invenergy LLC is the project developer. The Koshkonong Solar Energy Center is estimated to begin serving customers in late 2025.

The Koshkonong Solar Energy Center is one of three announced investments by MGE in large-scale solar energy and battery storage. MGE also will own a 10% share of the Paris Solar-Battery Park and the Darien Solar Energy Center, both of which are under construction.

Path Toward Net‐Zero Carbon Electricity: 80% Carbon Reduction by 2030

MGE has a goal to reduce carbon emissions at least 80% by 2030, consistent with global climate science to limit global warming. MGE continues to transition its energy supply to cleaner sources. Since 2015, MGE has announced several new utility-scale wind and solar projects, which are expected to increase MGE's owned renewable capacity by more than nine times when completed.

To achieve deep decarbonization, MGE is growing its use of renewable energy, engaging customers around energy efficiency and working to electrify transportation, all of which are key strategies identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

About MGE

MGE generates and distributes electricity to 161,000 customers in Dane County, Wis., and purchases and distributes natural gas to 173,000 customers in seven south-central and western Wisconsin counties. MGE's parent company is MGE Energy, Inc. The company's roots in the Madison area date back more than 150 years.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230316005611/en/

Steve Schultz

Corporate Communications Manager

608-252-7219 | sbschultz@mge.com

Source: Madison Gas and Electric

FAQ

What is MGE's goal for carbon emissions reduction?

MGE aims to reduce carbon emissions at least 80% by 2030, targeting net-zero carbon electricity by 2050.

How much solar energy will MGE purchase from the Koshkonong project?

MGE will own 30 MW of solar energy from the Koshkonong Solar Energy Center.

When is the Koshkonong Solar Energy Center expected to begin operations?

The Koshkonong Solar Energy Center is expected to begin serving customers in late 2025.

How many households will MGE's share of the Koshkonong project power?

MGE's share of the project is expected to power about 9,000 households.

What other projects is MGE involved in to increase renewable energy?

MGE is also investing in the Paris Solar-Battery Park and the Darien Solar Energy Center, both under construction.