Approval to purchase a share of the Columbia County project is the latest step toward achieving MGE's net-zero carbon electricity goal.

Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), in partnership with We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group, received approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to purchase solar capacity and battery storage from the High Noon Solar Energy Center. MGE will own 30 megawatts (MW) of solar and 16.5 MW of battery storage from the facility located in Columbia County.

"The High Noon Solar Energy Center builds on the progress we've already made reducing carbon emissions, increasing our use of cost-effective renewable energy and advancing new technologies to benefit all our customers," said Jeff Keebler, MGE Chairman, President and CEO. "By growing our use of cost-effective carbon-free generation to decarbonize our grid and by working with customers to advance energy efficiency and electrification, we can achieve our sustainable energy goals."

High Noon Solar Energy Center

The project will include a 300-MW solar array and 165-MW battery energy storage system. It is expected to generate enough carbon-free energy to power about 90,000 households. MGE's 10% share of the output will power about 9,000 households.

MGE will own 30 MW of solar and 16.5 MW of battery storage. We Energies and WPS will own the remaining 270 MW of solar and 148.5 MW of battery storage.

The High Noon Solar Energy Center is expected to start serving customers in 2027.

Working toward 80% reduced carbon emissions by 2030

Carbon is our target. MGE is working to decarbonize the electricity we supply to customers, targeting carbon reductions consistent with global climate science as quickly, responsibly and cost-effectively as we can. By 2030, on behalf of all customers, MGE expects to deliver electricity with 80% fewer carbon emissions, and by 2050, we expect to deliver net-zero carbon electricity. MGE already is halfway to its 2030 goal to reduce carbon emissions by 80% compared to 2005 levels.

Growing our use of cost-effective, cleaner energy and working with customers to advance energy efficiency and the electrification of transportation are all key strategies for deep decarbonization. Learn more about MGE's other solar projects.

About MGE

MGE generates and distributes electricity to 167,000 customers in Dane County, Wis., and purchases and distributes natural gas to 178,000 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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