Wisconsin's first large-scale solar project breaks ground in Two Rivers
TWO CREEKS - Gov. Tony Evers broke ground in Manitowoc County Thursday alongside energy company officials to kick off Wisconsin’s first large-scale solar project.
The 150-megawatt project comes as part of an effort to move the state toward producing more clean, sustainable energy to keep Wisconsin strong for future generations, Gov. Evers said to those in attendance.
"Wisconsinites and Wisconsin businesses are ready to move forward on clean energy, with or without politicians," he said. "The marketplace has spoken, and we have to listen."
Energy companies Wisconsin Public Service and Madison Gas and Electric have teamed up for the project, which will take place in Two Creeks Solar Park near the Point Beach Nuclear Plant.
The park will host 500,000 solar panels across the span of about 800 acres of land, and they will produce enough electricity to power more than 33,000 homes, said WPS spokesman Matt Cullen.
"It's an important part of our goal to reduce carbon emissions, preserve fuel diversity and reduce costs to our customers," Cullen said.
WPS and MGE are also partnering on a separate, but similar, project for another solar park, Badger Hollow I Solar Park, in southwestern Wisconsin. Cullen estimated more than $100 million will be saved over the course of the life of the two projects.
Jeff Keebler, CEO for MGE, said his company also prioritizes carbon emission reduction and that one of the company's goals is to reduce its net carbon electricity to zero by 2050.
"Two Creeks Solar is an important step toward achieving that goal," he said. "It's cost-effective, clean energy generated right here in Wisconsin."
In their joint ownership, WPS will own 100 megawatts of the energy output and MGE will own 50 megawatts.
Construction is set to begin this fall, and the project should be completed by the end of 2020, according to the energy companies.
After Evers and the leaders of the energy groups broke ground, attendees were welcome to sign their names on a solar panel.
Contact Kaitlin Edquist at 920-431-8505 or kedquist@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kaitlinedquist.
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