Wisconsin Preparing for Major Expansions in Clean Energy Including the Saratoga Solar Energy Center

Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 -- 8:01 AM

(Blake Jackson, Wisconsin Ag Connection) Wisconsin is preparing for a major expansion in clean energy as We Energies and two partner utilities announce the purchase of four new renewable energy projects.

According to Blake Jackson with the Wisconsin Ag Connection, these projects include solar power, wind power and battery storage systems that will help deliver more reliable, cost-effective and sustainable energy to homes across the state.

The purchases were recently approved by the Public Service Commission. Together, the four projects represent 450 megawatts of new renewable capacity, which is enough to power more than 150,000 homes.

This investment supports a long-term plan to retire older fossil fuel plants and replace them with cleaner and more efficient resources. One of the renewable projects includes the Saratoga Solar Energy Center in Wood County. Ownership of the projects is shared among the three utilities.

We Energies will own 80 percent of each site, while Wisconsin Public Service and Madison Gas and Electric will each own 10 percent. This shared model supports wide access to renewable power for customers across multiple service regions.

We Energies president Mike Hooper says the approval marks an important step toward the company’s “all of the above” energy strategy, which combines renewable energy with natural gas plants to provide year-round service.

He adds that the new projects are expected to save customers millions of dollars through reduced fuel costs and federal tax credits. Costs vary across the projects. The Saratoga solar and battery project is expected to cost $451.5 million.

According to We Energies, all four projects are expected to begin operating in 2027 or 2028, helping expand clean energy options for Wisconsin communities.

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