MADISON, Wis.: Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) has announced its proposal for a new solar energy initiative. The company is currently seeking the green light from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to construct the Sunnyside Solar Energy Center in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.
This ambitious project includes a 20-megawatt solar array coupled with a 40-megawatt battery storage system, poised to bolster the local energy grid with renewable power.
Jeff Keebler, Madison Gas and Electric Chairman, President, and CEO, expressed the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, stating, “MGE is steadfast on our journey to deep decarbonization, aiming for net-zero carbon electricity.”
He further outlined MGE’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon electricity by 2050, aligning with scientific benchmarks for climate action.
The proposed Sunnyside Solar Energy Center, spanning approximately 125 acres near Whalen Road, is expected to generate sufficient electricity to power around 6,000 homes annually. Additionally, the integrated battery storage is designed to ensure a reliable energy supply even when solar and wind resources are insufficient.
EDF Renewables, the project developer, anticipates that, upon approval, construction could commence in 2025, with the facility operational by late 2026.
The Sunnyside Solar Energy Center is the latest in a series of initiatives by MGE to meet its industry-leading carbon reduction goals. Following the recent additions of the Red Barn Wind Farm, the second phase of the Badger Hollow Solar Farm, and Tyto Solar, MGE has significantly expanded its renewable energy portfolio.
In addition to large-scale projects, MGE is actively engaging with customers to promote energy efficiency and the electrification of transportation—key strategies endorsed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for reducing carbon footprints.
Madison Gas and Electric, with a history extending over 150 years, serves a diverse customer base, providing electricity to 163,000 customers and natural gas to 176,000 customers across several counties in Wisconsin. The company, under the umbrella of MGE Energy, Inc., continues to be a pillar of the Madison community, leading the charge towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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