MGE proposing 20-MW solar project in Wisconsin

Madison Gas
and Electric (MGE) filed an application with the Public Service Commission of
Wisconsin (PSCW) for a 20-MW solar array in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. The O’Brien
Solar Fields project will provide solar energy to local businesses, municipalities
and public institutions under MGE’s Renewable Energy Rider (RER). Six
organizations have agreed to receive the clean solar energy from this project
under MGE’s RER program

Participating customers that enter into RER agreements are subject to regulatory approval, with MGE. RERs enable MGE to partner with a large energy user to meet customer’s renewable energy needs. RER customers are responsible for costs associated with the renewable generation facility and any distribution costs to deliver energy to the customer.

MGE is
partnering with the following customers on this project through the agreement:

City of Fitchburg
Aaron Richardson, Mayor of Fitchburg,
said, “This will bring us closer to our renewable energy goals and our
entire municipal leadership is thrilled to be a part of this project.”

Placon
“We continuously look to improve and
reduce our carbon footprint, programs like this fully promote our company
mission and a cleaner community for us to live in,” said Jim Hart, Placon
Engineering Manager.

Promega Corporation
“This array will provide over 8% of
our current annual electrical consumption, complementing our current investment
in solar photovoltaics on the roofs of five Promega buildings in Madison,”
explained Kevin Stefanczyk, Facilities Project Manager, Promega Corporation.

University of
Wisconsin-Madison
“By repurposing farmland for the
solar array and creating a shared, educational space in our community, we would
also be celebrating the connection between sustainability and the Wisconsin
Idea,” said Laurent Heller, Vice Chancellor for Finance and
Administration, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Willy Street Co-op
“We were thrilled by the opportunity
to grow our sustainability efforts by getting even more of our electrical needs
through solar power,” said Anya Firszt, Willy Street Co-op General
Manager.

Wisconsin Department of
Administration
“Last year, Governor Evers
challenged us to have all electricity consumed within our state be 100%
carbon-free by 2050,” explained Department of Administration Secretary
Joel Brennan.

“20-MW of locally generated, cost-effective carbon-free
energy on our electric grid will help us achieve our goal of net-zero carbon
electricity by 2050 and the sustainability goals of these customers,” said
MGE Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Keebler.

MGE is
targeting net-zero carbon electricity by 2050. Under MGE’s Energy 2030
framework for a more sustainable future, the company aims to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions by 40% by 2030, which is consistent with the U.S. emissions
targets as part of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

MGE is
growing its engagement of renewables, energy efficiency and electrification of
transportation, all of which are strategies identified by the U.S. for
achieving decarbonization.