News

MGE Energy has reported financial results for the second quarter of 2026. MGE Energy's GAAP earnings for the second quarter of 2026 were $33.4 million, or $0.89 per share, compared to $26.5 million, or $0.72 per share, for the same period in the prior year. 

Electric segment earnings increased $3.0 million for 2026 compared to 2025, reflecting strategic capital investments that grew rate base, largely driven by the successful deployment of key renewable energy projects. Gas net income remained stable compared to the second quarter of 2025. In addition, earnings benefited from approximately $3.9 million of investment gains, including returns from venture capital funds focused on technologies and innovations relevant to the evolving energy industry.

Alliant Energy has announced U.S. generally accepted accounting principles consolidated unaudited earnings per share of $0.65 for second quarter 2026, compared to $0.68 for the second quarter of 2025.

Key takeaways:

Second quarter GAAP earnings per share were $0.65 in 2026, compared to $0.68 in 2025.

Reaffirming 2026 ongoing earnings guidance range of $3.36 - $3.46 per share, currently trending in upper half of range.

Expected 60 percent load growth by 2031, large customer load expected to materialize as forecasted in 2026.

“We delivered another solid quarter of operating and financial performance and our full-year forecasted results are currently trending in the upper half of our full-year ongoing earnings guidance range,” according to Lisa Barton, Alliant Energy President and CEO. “With three data centers making significant construction progress, and meaningful progress on energy resource investments, we are positioning to accelerate earnings growth and enable significant economic development in the communities we serve, all while maintaining customer protections and reliability.”

The Board of Directors of MGE Energy has approved a 7.0 percent increase in the company’s regular quarterly dividend to $0.5083 per share on its outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable September 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of September 1, 2026. The increase raises MGE Energy’s annualized dividend rate to $2.0332 per share and marks the company’s 51st consecutive year of dividend increases.

“This dividend increase reflects our Board’s continued confidence in MGE Energy’s long-term strategy, disciplined financial management and commitment to delivering regular, predictable and sustainable returns to shareholders,” according to Jeff Keebler, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our investments in reliable, resilient and increasingly sustainable energy infrastructure meet our customers’ needs, support economic growth in the communities we serve and create long-term value for shareholders.”

MGE Energy has paid cash dividends for more than 110 consecutive years, reflecting its longstanding commitment to returning value to shareholders through consistent and sustainable dividend growth.

The Board of Directors of Xcel Energy has declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock of 59.25 cents per share. The dividends are payable October 20, 2026, to shareholders of record on September 15, 2026.

Alliant Energy has received the final permits needed to move forward with construction of the Bobcat Energy Center in Marshalltown. The facility will be constructed on land adjacent to the company's current 650-megawatt Marshalltown Generating Station. 

The Bobcat Energy Center, a natural gas-fired combustion turbine facility, received the required air permit last week from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Iowa DNR issues air permits only if the applicant proves the facility will meet or exceed all applicable air quality standards designed to protect public health. Approval from the DNR follows unanimous approval Alliant Energy received for the project from the Iowa Utilities Commission in December. 

“Reliable energy is the foundation for strong communities, economic growth and the opportunities that depend on both,” said JP Brummond, Vice President of Generation. “As customer demand increases, projects like Bobcat Energy Center help position our region for the future by providing the resources needed to support continued growth and reliable service. The project reflects our commitment to customers, and the issued permits highlight our proven track record of meeting, and often exceeding, regulatory requirements.” 

We Energies signed a new 20-year agreement to purchase electricity from the Point Beach nuclear plant in Manitowoc County, resolving uncertainty about the relationship between the utility and the state’s largest power plant. 

The agreement, disclosed in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, still requires sign-off from Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission.

The roughly 60-year-old facility is Wisconsin’s only active nuclear power plant. We Energies owned the plant until 2007, when it sold Point Beach to a Florida-based utility. It currently purchases most of the plant’s output from independent energy infrastructure giant NextEra Energy.

Alliant Energy has submitted a rezoning application to Linn County, Iowa for the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center, a natural gas-fired electric generating facility planned near the intersection of U.S. 30 and Benton-Linn Road west of Cedar Rapids. The application requests rezoning of approximately 160 acres from Agricultural (AG) to Exclusive Use-2 (EU-2), as required under Linn County's development code for gas-fired electric generating facilities. 

The proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center would consist of three natural gas combustion turbines with a combined generating capacity of approximately 720 megawatts. The project is designed to help meet growing energy needs, support electric reliability and meet regional capacity requirements. While proposed on 160 acres of land, the actual facility would only take up about 55 acres, with a portion of the land expected to be restored to agricultural use upon operation. 

We Energies’ latest SEC filing did not divulge most details of the new agreement, but spokesman Brendan Conway says it will provide customers with fuel savings compared with the current (agreement) when it goes into effect.” 

If the PSC approves the proposed agreement, We Energies would buy 86 percent of the plant’s energy for another two decades. Its current contract is set to expire by 2033, according to the new filing.

The Board of Directors of WEC Energy Group has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 95.25 cents per share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable September 1, 2026, to stockholders of record on August 14, 2026. This marks the 336th consecutive quarter — dating back to 1942 — that the company will have paid a dividend to its stockholders.

In 2024, Madison Gas and Electric introduced grazing sheep at the company’s 6-megawatt Tyto Solar array in Fitchburg. The sheep help control ground cover during the growing season, maintaining grass and brush in a sustainable way.

The practice is an example of agrivoltaics, or dual-use solar, in which land is used for both solar generation and agriculture. MGE expanded its use of solar grazing the following year to the Company’s nearby Strix Solar facility and to the Hermsdorf Solar Fields in Madison.

The introduction of solar grazing built on the Company’s commitment to providing pollinator habitat through native plantings at some of its local solar generation facilities, including Dane County Airport Solar, Hermsdorf Solar Fields, Morey Field Solar and the O’Brien Solar Fields.

Pollinator habitats are shrinking. As native vegetation is replaced by roads, manicured lawns and non-native gardens, pollinators lose necessary food and nesting sites.

A pollinator is a bee, butterfly or other agent that transfers pollen from one plant to another. This process enables fertilization and the production of food such as seeds, fruits and nuts.