Madison Gas and Electric's (MGE) newest wind farm is fully operational and delivering cost-effective, carbon-free energy to the electric grid. MGE partnered with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, on the 92-megawatt (MW) Red Barn Wind Farm. MGE owns 9.1 MW of the wind farm in the Grant County towns of Clifton and Wingville.
"This is an exciting time for MGE as the Red Barn Wind Farm begins to generate cost-effective, carbon-free electricity to benefit all our electric customers," said Jeff Keebler, MGE Chairman, President and CEO. "Red Barn is another important step in our ongoing transition to a more sustainable energy future. We are working aggressively to reduce our carbon emissions at least 80% from 2005 levels by the end of this decade and achieve net-zero carbon electricity by 2050. We have said since announcing our net-zero goal, if we can go further faster through partnerships with our customers and the evolution of new technologies, we will—and we are."
Red Barn Wind Farm
Located on about 10,000 acres, the 92-MW wind farm has 28 turbines. Red Barn is expected to generate enough energy to serve about 50,000 households annually. MGE's share is expected to serve about 5,000 households each year.
Upcoming solar and battery storage projects
In the last year, MGE has received approval for three investments in large-scale solar energy and battery storage. MGE will own a 10% share of the Paris Solar-Battery Park (expected online in 2023), the Darien Solar Energy Center (expected online in 2024) and the Koshkonong Solar Energy Center (expected online in 2025).
Path toward net‐zero carbon electricity: 80% carbon reduction by 2030
MGE has a goal to reduce carbon emissions at least 80% by 2030. MGE continues to transition its energy supply to cleaner sources. Since 2015, MGE has announced several new utility-scale wind and solar projects, which are expected to increase MGE's owned renewable capacity by more than nine times when completed.
To achieve deep decarbonization, MGE is growing its use of renewable energy, engaging customers around energy efficiency and working to electrify transportation, all of which are key strategies identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
About MGE
MGE generates and distributes electricity to 161,000 customers in Dane County, Wis., and purchases and distributes natural gas to 173,000 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.