We Energies approved to buy 150 MW solar project in Rock County

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved a plan for We Energies and several utilities to buy a 150-megawatt solar field and a 50-megawatt battery storage facility in Rock County.

We Energies will buy the Dawn Harvest Solar Project, which is expected to go online in 2028, and the Battery Energy Storage Facility. We Energies will be the majority owner of the project and split ownership with Wisconsin Public Service and Madison Gas and Electric.

“Today’s decision is another key step in executing our ‘all the above’ energy strategy that supports continued reliability with investments in a balanced mix of energy sources, new technology and stronger equipment to harden the grid,” said Mike Hooper, president of We Energies, in a statement. “The Dawn Harvest project will serve customers year-round and is expected to reduce fuel costs and take advantage of available federal tax credits, helping keep energy costs down for our customers.”

The project is expected to generate enough energy to power more than 45,000 homes. However, some of that might be directed to one of the state’s ongoing data center campuses instead. We Energies will allocate 60% of its solar generation and 80% of its battery storage to the Vantage Data Centers campus in Port Washington, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The utility also has a “very large” customer rate proposal, which would set a separate rate for data center customers, currently being reviewed by the PSC.

The Dawn Harvest Solar Project is being developed by Chicago-based Invenergy.

“MGE’s ownership share of the Dawn Harvest Solar Energy Center is another important step in our commitment to use renewables first and ensure reliability for all customers,” said Jeff Keebler, chairman, president and CEO of Madison Gas and Electric, in a statement. “With our current plans, by 2030, we will have added more than 40 renewable generation and battery storage projects since 2015, totaling more than 750 MW, propelling us toward our goal of net-zero carbon electricity by 2050.”