MGE Receives Approval to Purchase Wind Farm - MGE Energy, Inc. - Madison, Wisconsin

MGE Receives Approval to Purchase Wind Farm

Red Barn Wind Farm map

Our utility subsidiary, Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), continues to work toward growing its use of cost-effective renewable energy with the planned purchase of a share of the Red Barn Wind Farm to be built in Grant County. MGE, in partnership with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to own 9.1 megawatts (MW) of the 92-MW wind farm. 

"The Red Barn Wind Farm will help MGE to meet future energy and capacity needs cost-effectively as we continue our ongoing transition to a more sustainable energy supply. We are working every day toward net-zero carbon electricity by 2050 for all our customers," said Jeff Keebler, MGE Chairman, President and CEO. "We have said since announcing our net-zero goal, if we can go further faster through partnerships with our customers and the evolution of new technologies, we will."

The approximately 12,000-acre project will feature 28 turbines. Construction is expected to begin this year. The wind farm is expected to begin serving customers by the end of the year. 

MGE's 10% share of the project will power about 4,000 households. WPS will own the remaining 82.5 MW of the project.

Working toward net‐zero carbon electricity

MGE has reduced its carbon emissions 30% since 2005 and expects to achieve carbon reductions of at least 65% by 2030, consistent with global climate science to limit global warming. MGE continues to transition its energy supply to cleaner sources, with the anticipated addition of nearly 400 MW of wind, solar and battery storage between 2015 and 2024.

In May 2019, MGE announced its goal of net-zero carbon electricity by 2050, making it one of the first utilities in the nation to commit to net-zero carbon by mid-century. MGE's net-zero goal is consistent with climate science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) October 2018 Special Report on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 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 IPCC.