Alliant Energy investing $900 million in solar power plants in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Alliant Energy says it’s buying about $900 million worth of new solar power plants in Wisconsin, making the utility company the largest solar operator in Wisconsin.

The six projects are under development in Grant, Jefferson, Richland, Rock, Sheboygan and Wood counties. Together they will have 675 megawatts of capacity, which is enough to power about 175,000 homes for a year.

The announcement comes just days after Alliant announced plans to retire the 35-year-old, 380-megawatt Edgewater plant in Sheboygan, the State Journal reported. It marks another step in the utility’s plan to cut 80% of its carbon emissions by 2050.

Alliant plans to file applications Wednesday with the Public Service Commission for permission to purchase the solar projects. The PSC is expected to make a decision by early next year. If approved, the plants could come online by the end of 2023.

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