MGE Seeks to Add More Local Solar and Battery Storage to Serve Customers
13 Mayo 2024 - 11:45AM
Business Wire
The 20-megawatt solar array and 40-megawatt battery storage
system would be MGE's first local solar and battery storage
project
Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) is seeking approval from the
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to build a
20-megawatt (MW) solar array and 40-MW battery storage system in
Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Known as the Sunnyside Solar Energy Center,
the project will provide locally generated solar energy to MGE's
distribution system.
"MGE continues on our path toward deep decarbonization to
achieve net-zero carbon electricity," said Jeff Keebler, MGE
Chairman, President and CEO. "Carbon is our target, and our carbon
reduction goals are aligned with science. Under our commitments, by
2030, MGE expects to deliver electricity with 80% fewer carbon
emissions to every MGE electric customer. Similarly, by 2050, we
expect to deliver net-zero carbon electricity to every MGE electric
customer. We're decarbonizing our grid cost-effectively for the
benefit of all customers."
Sunnyside Solar Energy Center Details
If approved, the Sunnyside Solar Energy Center will be located
on about 125 acres off Whalen Road in Fitchburg. The 20 MW of solar
capacity is expected to generate enough electricity annually to
serve about 6,000 households. The 40 MW of four-hour battery
storage will provide electricity during times when energy demand is
greatest and solar and/or wind is insufficient to meet all customer
needs.
EDF Renewables is the project developer. If approved,
construction could begin in 2025, and both the solar array and
battery storage system could begin serving customers by late
2026.
Working Toward 80% Reduced Carbon Emissions by 2030
The Sunnyside Solar Energy Center would be the latest project to
help MGE achieve our industry-leading carbon reduction goals.
With the addition of the Red Barn Wind Farm and the second phase
of the Badger Hollow Solar Farm in 2023 and Tyto Solar in February
2024, MGE has added 65 MW of wind and solar to our energy supply
mix in the last year to serve all MGE electric customers.
More than 50 MW of solar generation is expected to be added to
MGE's energy supply mix by the end of this year with projects
currently in development. MGE continues to evaluate other potential
clean energy investments as we work toward net-zero carbon
electricity.
Role of Energy Efficiency and Electrification by Customers to
Help Reduce Carbon
MGE is working with customers to advance other key strategies to
achieve deep decarbonization. MGE is engaging customers around
energy efficiency and working to electrify transportation, both of
which are key strategies identified by the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change. Visit www.mge2050.com for energy-saving
information and www.mge.com/LovEV to learn about electric vehicles
and charging options.
About MGE
MGE generates and distributes electricity to 163,000 customers
in Dane County, Wis., and purchases and distributes natural gas to
176,000 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.
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Steve Schultz Corporate Communications Manager 608-252-7219 |
sbschultz@mge.com