Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) Announces Major Expansion of Solar, Battery Storage, and Wind Portfolio Following Regulatory Approval
Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), together with its long-standing energy partners We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS)—both subsidiaries of the WEC Energy Group—has received official approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to significantly expand its renewable energy portfolio. The approval authorizes all three utilities to acquire new solar capacity, battery storage, and wind power capacity from a group of four major clean energy projects located across the state of Wisconsin. As part of this initiative, MGE will take ownership of 35 megawatts (MW) of new solar energy, 5 MW of battery storage, and nearly 18 MW of wind energy, marking another milestone in the company’s steady transition toward a cleaner, more diversified energy supply.
MGE Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Keebler highlighted the strategic importance of this latest step. “The approval of these projects is another important step in our ongoing effort to reduce carbon emissions, increase our use of cost-effective renewable generation, and advance new technologies to benefit all customers,” Keebler said. He emphasized that the utility’s vision for a more sustainable energy future has been unfolding over nearly a decade. “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,” he noted. “These investments will help propel us toward our goal of delivering net-zero carbon electricity by 2050.”
Overview of the New Projects
The four clean energy projects approved for acquisition are major additions to Wisconsin’s growing renewable energy landscape. Each project contributes different forms of generation—solar, wind, and battery storage—supporting MGE’s strategy to build a more resilient and flexible energy system. MGE will own a 10% stake in each development. The projects include:
1. Saratoga Solar Energy Center – Solar + Storage
The Saratoga Solar Energy Center is one of the state’s most ambitious renewable energy developments. Located in Wood County, it will feature a 150-MW solar array paired with a 50-MW battery energy storage system (BESS). The combined solar-plus-storage approach allows for a more stable and flexible supply of clean power, enabling the system to capture excess solar generation during peak production hours and store it for use during evening hours or periods of high demand.
MGE will own 15 MW of solar capacity and 5 MW of battery storage from this project. Both the solar field and the BESS are expected to begin serving MGE customers in 2028, providing a new level of dispatchable renewable power.
2. Ursa Solar Park – Large-Scale Solar
The Ursa Solar Park, a 200-MW solar facility located in Columbia County, represents another major solar-only expansion. MGE will own 20 MW of solar power from this site. The facility is projected to begin serving customers in 2027. As part of MGE’s broader strategy, the Ursa project contributes to building a more geographically diverse solar fleet that can help offset local weather variations and support year-round solar generation.
3. Badger Hollow Wind Farm – Multi-County Wind Development
Wind energy remains an essential component of MGE’s renewable energy mix. The 112-MW Badger Hollow Wind Farm, located across Iowa and Grant counties, will add a new source of clean, reliable wind generation to the utility’s portfolio. MGE will own 11.2 MW of the wind capacity from this project. Like the Ursa Solar Park, Badger Hollow Wind Farm is expected to come online in 2027.
4. Whitetail Wind Farm – Additional Wind Capacity in Grant County
Complementing the Badger Hollow project, the Whitetail Wind Farm is a 67-MW wind facility also located in Grant County. MGE will own 6.7 MW of wind capacity from the Whitetail project, which is scheduled to begin serving customers in 2027. The addition of multiple wind projects enhances energy reliability, especially during winter months when solar energy production tends to be lower and wind speeds often increase.
Strategic Importance of Geographic and Technological Diversity
MGE’s growing portfolio of renewable energy investments is intentionally diversified in terms of geography and technology. This strategy provides several long-term advantages:
- Enhanced Reliability: By spreading renewable generation across different counties and resource profiles (wind vs. solar), MGE reduces the risk associated with localized weather events. Wind and solar often peak at different times, and the integration of battery storage further smooths out fluctuations.
- Cost Management: Large-scale renewable projects can deliver cost-effective generation over the long term. The combination of solar, wind, and storage helps reduce reliance on fossil fuel markets, which are historically volatile.
- Accelerated Carbon Reduction: Adding multiple utility-scale renewable projects aligns directly with state and national climate goals. MGE’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon electricity by 2050 places it among the nation’s forward-looking energy providers pursuing deep decarbonization.
Commitment to a Comprehensive Clean Energy Future
These four projects form only one part of MGE’s broader strategy to support a sustainable and resilient energy system. The company highlights several key pillars guiding its long-term efforts:
- Expanding Renewable Energy: MGE continues to invest in solar arrays, wind farms, and energy storage systems to increase the share of carbon-free electricity available to customers.
- Advancing Energy Efficiency: Energy-saving programs and technologies remain essential to reducing overall system demand and helping customers lower their energy bills.
- Supporting Transportation Electrification: MGE is an active supporter of electric vehicle expansion and charging infrastructure development. This initiative not only reduces transportation emissions but also helps integrate more renewable power into daily energy use.
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