MADISON, Wis. (Aug. 10, 2021) – Ownership of the 200-megawatt (MW) Grant County Solar Project, located in the Town of Potosi within Grant County, is officially transitioning from a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC to Alliant Energy. This milestone follows recent approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) on Alliant Energy’s filing for 675 megawatts of solar.
“It has been a pleasure working with NextEra Energy Resources throughout the development phase of this project, and now we look forward to partnering with them as our engineering, procurement and construction contractor,” stated Ben Lipari, director of Project Development & Customer Solutions at Alliant Energy. “We look forward to building on the long-standing relationships we’ve developed with customers and local officials over the years. This solar project will be one of the largest solar installations in the state. It also signals the transition in southwest Wisconsin to cleaner energy while initiating local investment and creating local jobs. It is a smart investment for our customers and a critical part of our sustainable path forward.”
Alliant Energy is contracting with a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources to construct this project. Construction is expected to get underway in the spring of 2022 and to be completed by late 2023.
During construction, more than 250 jobs are expected to be created. Once operational, the 200 MW project will generate enough electricity to power more than 50,000 Wisconsin homes. Together, the community and county will receive an estimated $800,000 in annual shared revenues for the next 30 years, to be used as determined by local communities and government officials.
“We are pleased to help Alliant Energy bring more renewable energy to its customers and expand renewable energy generation in Wisconsin,” said David Gil, executive director of development for NextEra Energy Resources, the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and the sun. "This solar energy project will provide additional tax revenue for Grant County and the local municipalities, and generate cost-effective, home-grown solar energy for Alliant Energy’s customers for years to come.”
For more information, visit Alliant Energy’s solar webpage.
Background: In May 2020, Alliant Energy introduced its plan to construct six large-scale solar projects in Wisconsin. Then, in March 2021, the company announced plans to build six more projects – making Alliant Energy the largest owner and operator of solar energy in the state of Wisconsin. According to the company, it’s part of the Clean Energy Blueprint, an outline of their acceleration and transition to clean energy.
In total, Alliant Energy has proposed 12 solar projects, planned for nine Wisconsin counties. Collectively, they will add nearly 1,100 MW of solar energy generation to the state’s energy grid – enough to power nearly 300,000 homes. Along with the rest of the Clean Energy Blueprint, these projects will help customers avoid more than $2 billion in long-term costs. They’ll also deliver steady revenue through new construction opportunities, create an estimated 2,000 construction jobs and provide approximately $300 million in revenues to local communities and landowners over an estimated project lifespan of 30 years.
At a time when much is changing, Alliant Energy notes, these projects demonstrate the company’s commitment to advancing clean energy and strengthening the communities they serve. In addition, Alliant Energy says that this investment in solar will provide customers with reliable, environmentally friendly energy long into the future.
With increasing sustainability expectations from customers and businesses, now is the time to transition to more renewable energy generation. Alliant Energy is committed to elevating its sustainable practices and cost-effectively accelerating renewable energy generation while reducing carbon emissions.
Solar generating projects have a low profile and are virtually noiseless. They generate zero emissions, odors or harmful byproducts. During operation, planted prairie grasses and pollinator habitats will create a hospitable environment for pollinating insects and birds. When the project reaches the end of its useful life (approximately 30 years), per regulatory agreement, Alliant Energy can choose to extend the project timeline or remove the equipment and restore the land so it can be used as desired, including for agriculture.
Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: LNT) provides regulated energy service to 1 million electric and 425,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin. Alliant Energy's mission is to deliver energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) and Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL) are Alliant Energy's two public energy companies. Alliant Energy is a component of Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index and the S&P 500. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com and follow Alliant Energy on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.