State utility regulators unanimously approved another pair of solar projects that may help power hyperscale data centers.
The Public Service Commission approved on March 19 We Energies' purchase of Good Oak and Gristmill solar generation facilities in Columbia County. The two projects will generate 165 megawatts, enough to power around 50,000 Wisconsin homes, and cost a combined $360 million.
We Energies will own 80% of both facilities, spokesperson Brendan Conway said. The remaining power will be split between Madison Gas & Electric and the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, another WEC Energy Group subsidiary.
Good Oak will span 800 acres in the Town of Lewiston and consist of 191,000 solar panels. Gristmill is half the size and will consist of nearly 132,000 panels in the Town of Columbus.
Should commissioners approve We Energies' plan to establish a separate electric rate for large data centers, both facilities will allot 70% of their energy to data center customers. Customers in this service category include Microsoft and Vantage's multi-billion dollar data center campuses in southeast Wisconsin.