News

Wind and solar power are well-positioned to quickly respond to the increasing load data centers are putting on Wisconsin’s electrical grid, a renewable energy expert argues.

Wisconsin has become a hotbed of data center activity over the past few years, underscored by Microsoft’s more than $7 billion in investments in the southeastern region of the state. Increasing demand on the electrical grid is normal, but data centers are only adding to that demand. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory predicts data center electricity consumption will grow from 176 terawatt hours in 2023 to between 325 and 580 terawatt hours in 2028, which would represent 6.7 percent to 12.0 percent of annual U.S. electrical consumption.

David Neely, EDP Renewables’ Senior Director of Development for the central region, said wind and solar power is better positioned than other power generation sources to quickly respond to those demands.

“If you just think simple supply and demand, we do support, kind of an all-in approach for what these utilities can get online. It’s what they need to get online, because there’s a rush to do capacity,” he said. “Renewables is a big, important factor in that.”

Some wind and solar projects can be built and come online in as little as a year, Neely said. That’s compared to roughly four years for traditional natural gas and coal-powered plants, according to International Energy Association data. The same IEA data also shows roughly two-and-a-half years to bring renewable projects online, though. 

Wisconsin’s goal to have all electricity consumed be 100 percent carbon-free by 2050 is also an attraction for both data center and renewable investment, Neely said.

Alliant Energy announces a partnership with HomeServe, a leading home solutions provider, to make home repair plans available to customers in Iowa and Wisconsin. This optional program is designed to ease the burden of unexpected home repairs, offering peace of mind and financial relief for homeowners.

“Unexpected home repairs can be a big disruption to daily routines and a financial hardship for many homeowners, creating stress and unexpected work,” said Aimee Davis, VP of Communications, Marketing & Customer Operations at Alliant Energy. “Through our partnership with HomeServe, our customers will benefit from a cost-effective solution that helps them safeguard their homes. Guided by our purpose driven strategy, this initiative underscores our dedication to serving our customers."

The optional repair plans offered by HomeServe cover repairs to customer-owned natural gas lines and electrical equipment that connect their homes to Alliant Energy’s systems. The plans cover repairs when equipment fails or is damaged from normal wear and tear.

A management program aimed at controlling aquatic invasive plants and improving fish habitat has gotten underway on the Chippewa Flowage. As a result, local residents and property owners will begin to notice a slow, but significant, change in water levels.

Based on the recommendation of the Chippewa Flowage Partner group, Xcel Energy began a drawdown of the flowage to aid in the reduction of the invasive Eurasian Water Milfoil. The recommendation to conduct the drawdown this fall was made based on aquatic plant surveys and on-water observations of resource conditions in the flowage, specifically an over-abundance of aquatic invasive species and the potential fisheries benefits received.

The fall drawdown will bring the level of the reservoir down to about 1,309 feet by mid-November. The 15,300-acre reservoir currently has an elevation of 1,310.56 feet above sea level. It is considered full at 1,313.0. Following ice up, the drawdown will resume through early March when the water level will be about 1,305 feet above sea level. If minimal snow is received during the winter months, the drawdown depth will likely be minimized due to concerns with refilling in the spring. If heavy snowfall is received during the winter months, a deeper drawdown may occur. During spring runoff, the water level will gradually be restored to normal elevation. Precipitation and inflow from tributary rivers and streams will determine how quickly this happens.

Xcel Energy Inc. has reported 2025 third quarter GAAP earnings of $524 million, or $0.88 per share, compared with $682 million, or $1.21 per share in the same period in 2024 and ongoing earnings of $737 million, or $1.24 per share compared with $707 million or $1.25 per share in the same period in 2024.
Third quarter ongoing earnings reflect higher depreciation, interest charges and O&M expenses partially offset by increased recovery of infrastructure investments.
“Today Xcel Energy unveiled our updated five-year infrastructure investment plan to serve increased energy demand from our communities, continue progress towards carbon reduction goals for our electric system and make needed investments to strengthen our transmission and distribution systems,” said Bob Frenzel, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy.

See entire article from Xcel Energy on their website here:

https://investors.xcelenergy.com/news-events/news-releases/news-details/2025/Xcel-Energy-Third-Quarter-2025-Earnings-Report/default.aspx

WEC Energy Group has reported third-quarter profits of $271.6 million. The company  had a net income of $0.83 per share. The company posted revenues of $2.1 billion in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts. WEC Energy expects full-year earnings in the range of $5.17 to $5.27 per share.

The 45th Annual Meeting of Members was held at The Cove of Lake Geneva followed by a historic boat tour aboard The Lady of the Lake, the flagship boat of the Lake Geneva Cruise Line.

Notably, at this year’s business meeting, two current board members chose to not seek re-election, stepping down off the board, and three new nominees to the board were voted in. Chair of the nomination committee, Don Reck, stepped down after serving on the board for six years, and Lynne English after serving two years. Mr. Reck’s final official business in his role as nomination committee chair was to bring three new board members into service by a vote of the membership. Robert Bartlett, formerly Director of Community Affairs at Alliant Energy, Andrew (Andy) Hesselbach, a recently retired former Senior Vice President with WEC Energy Group, and Scott Patulsky, who served as We-Energies Vice President of Fossil Operations among many other engineering leadership positions, were all voted onto the board of directors.

A panel of company lobbyists updated the crowd on the latest developments, lamenting the current political polarization that has made finding consensus on important issues extremely difficult.

Keynote speaker Bert Garvin, Vice President, External Affairs at WEC Energy Group, reviewed his company’s current and future plans. He told members the company expects EPS future growth of between 6.5 and 8 percent. Many questions concerned the proposed data centers and their potential impacts on customers. He said the company expects to deliver the best risk-adjusted returns in the industry. The utilities are in agreement that the new data centers are a positive generation driver, the costs of which will not be passed along to the consumer. The data center will employ environmentally conscious technology which will minimize any environmental impact. Please see the “WEC Energy Group Preparing for Additional 1800 MW...” article at the end of this newsletter for more information.

Following the meeting, members were treated to a boat tour of Lake Geneva.

Site Selector Magazine announced for the seventh consecutive year that Alliant Energy has earned their Top Utility in Economic Development honor. The annual list recognizes the company for its contributions to local community development and job creation.  

In its September issue, Site Selection credits Alliant Energy’s economic development team, in collaboration with local, regional and state economic development partners in Iowa and Wisconsin, for delivering nearly $3.9 billion in new capital investment and creating more than 2,410 new jobs in 2024.

“Alliant Energy is once again proud to be honored as a top utility in economic development,” said May Farlinger, President – Alliant Energy's Iowa energy company and Vice President of Energy Delivery. “Economic development is a critical component to supporting our purpose driven strategy to build strong communities and serve customers.”

American Transmission Company has been awarded its #4 ranking on FORTUNE Magazine’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production 2025 list. Fortune’s Best Workplaces lists highlight organizations excelling in creating positive, inclusive and engaging work environments.   

Xcel Energy has named Lynn Hall as the new Community Relations manager for northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She succeeds Ken Disher, who retired after 35 years of service with the company.

A lifelong Ashland resident, Hall brings more than 25 years of experience in project management and community outreach to her new role. She most recently served as an Environmental Analyst responsible for Xcel Energy’s facilities in northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, which included the Bay Front Power Plant and three hydroelectric plants.

Prior to joining Xcel Energy, Hall worked as an environmental manager with the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and previously with the City of Ashland, where she oversaw operations of the city’s water and wastewater treatment plants.

Hall holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

“We’re excited to have Lynn lead our local Community Relations and Economic Development efforts in the region,” said Brian Elwood, regional vice president, Customer and Community Relations. “Her deep knowledge of our operations and the area make her exceptionally well-suited for this role.”

Area residents may also recognize Hall for her long-standing leadership of the peregrine falcon program at the Bay Front Power Plant. In partnership with the Raptor Resource Project and local schools, the program has successfully hatched, banded and monitored 37 peregrine falcon chicks since 2014.

Alliant Energy has filed, with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, a unanimous settlement agreement regarding electric and natural gas rates in Wisconsin for 2026 and 2027. Alliant Energy reached this settlement with all of the intervening parties who represent a broad array of stakeholders, including Blacks for Political and Social Action of Dane County (BPSA), Citizens Utility Board (CUB), Clean Wisconsin, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 965 (IBEW), RENEW Wisconsin, Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group (WIEG) and Walmart.

“The settlement filed with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin reflects the collaborative effort among stakeholders to advance Alliant Energy’s commitment to provide cost-effective, reliable energy to customers,” according to David de Leon, President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin energy company. “We appreciate the thoughtful, transparent engagement and are confident our balanced energy mix, along with increased customer offerings, will help grow the communities we serve while also powering customers forward.”