News

We Energies is delaying the retirement of two aging coal units at its Oak Creek Power Plant. Units 7 and 8 at the plant, which went into service in the 1960s, had been scheduled to retire at the end of this year. They will now remain open through the end of 2027. The delay comes as energy usage is expected to increase due to data center projects currently under construction.

In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, We Energies’ parent company said the decision to postpone the retirement of units 7 and 8 is based on providing “reliability and affordability for We Energies customers.”

“This past winter the Midwest power market experienced tightened energy supply and higher energy costs during the extreme temperatures,” the filing states. “Keeping units 7 and 8 available will better position We Energies to serve customers with safe, reliable and affordable energy.”

Brendan Conway, spokesperson for We Energies, said there have been many examples in recent years, including in January when temperatures “plunged well below zero,” when having power available was “critical to keeping customers safe.” 

The company’s SEC filing also says the extension of those units will “serve as a bridge” until new dispatchable energy generation resources come online in late 2027.

Last year, the Public Service Commission gave We Energies the OK to build new natural gas plants in Milwaukee County’s Oak Creek and the town of Paris in Kenosha County. According to the PSC, the Oak Creek gas project is expected to be completed by the winter of 2027 or the summer of 2028. 

The Bent Tree North Wind project in Freeborn County, Minnesota is moving forward, according to Alliant Energy. The energy company recently received unanimous approvals to construct a 150-megawatt (MW) wind project that will be built adjacent to the company’s existing 200-megawatt (MW) Bent Tree wind farm.  

The approvals, from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and the Wisconsin Public Service Commission follow a comprehensive review of the project’s benefits. 

“Unanimous approvals in Wisconsin and Minnesota reflect strong regulatory confidence in this project and the value it brings to communities as a whole,” according to Becky Valcq, President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin Energy Company. “Approval of the Bent Tree North Wind project marks an important step as Alliant Energy continues to build a balanced energy portfolio that includes both renewable and traditional resources to meet customer demand.” 

Throughout the regulatory approval process, the Bent Tree North proposal earned strong backing from the Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, Laborers’ International Union of North America of Minnesota and Wisconsin, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, Minnesota Land & Liberty Coalition and RENEW Wisconsin. Leaders of these groups characterized Alliant Energy’s project as a model of stakeholder collaboration and emphasized its potential to drive new economic growth across the region and while ensuring a more reliable, resilient energy grid. 

“The Bent Tree North Wind Project represents continued, meaningful investment in Freeborn County—creating jobs, supporting our tax base, and delivering long-term value to local landowners. Just as importantly, it signals our community’s willingness to lead when it comes to emerging technologies and renewable energy. Communities that embrace innovation in these areas position themselves for long-term growth, and Freeborn County is demonstrating that leadership,” according to Valerie Lockhart, Executive Director, Albert Lea–Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. 

The project is projected to generate more than $100 million in combined economic benefits, including local tax revenue, payments to more than 170 landowner partners, construction wages, and other community investments. The project is expected to generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 50,000 homes each year. 

“Bent Tree North is part of Alliant Energy’s broader Energy Blueprint roadmap for building a strong and balanced energy future that integrates new, renewable and traditional energy generation resources to provide cost-effective, reliable energy to customers,” according to the company.

More than 100 employees and retirees from Xcel Energy gathered at the Wisconsin State Capitol for the company’s annual Legislative Day, meeting with state leaders to discuss key energy priorities.

Participants emphasized the importance of strong collaboration between utilities and policymakers as energy demand continues to grow. Discussions focused on strengthening the grid, expanding infrastructure, and advancing new technologies to ensure reliable service.

Xcel Energy serves approximately 260,000 electric and 116,000 natural gas customers in Wisconsin, and company officials said continued engagement like this is key to meeting the state’s future energy needs.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has unanimously approved the purchase of the Good Oak Solar Generation Facility and the Gristmill Solar Generation Facility; both will be built in Columbia County.

The two projects will add 165 megawatts (MW) of solar energy to the power grid — enough to power about 50,000 homes.

“Today’s commission approval will add more renewable energy to the power grid and support the state’s increased electricity needs in the coming years,” said Mike Hooper, President — We Energies. “The Good Oak and Gristmill solar projects are part of our ‘all the above’ energy strategy that supports continued reliability and helps keep energy costs down for our customers.”

We Energies will be the majority owner of the projects, with Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) as co-owners.

Ownership breakdown:

• We Energies – 78.7 MW Good Oak and 53.6 MW Gristmill
• WPS – 9.8 MW Good Oak and 6.7 MW Gristmill
• MGE – 9.8 MW Good Oak and 6.7 MW Gristmill

The facilities are expected to begin serving customers in 2028, following construction and testing. The project is being developed by OneEnergy Renewables.

Alliant Energy and its charitable foundation, along with the company’s employees and retirees, collectively contributed nearly $6.6 million and over 66,000 volunteer hours to various causes and nonprofits in 2025.  

“We’re proud of the difference we're making, supporting more than 1,280 organizations and distributing over 700 grants in 2025 alone,” said Aimee Davis, Alliant Energy Foundation board chair. “We helped provide fresh dairy products to rural food pantries, which are often difficult for them to source and advanced our goal of planting 1 million trees by 2030, this work reflects our purpose of serving customers and building stronger communities.”

Xcel Energy will power a new Google data center in Pine Island, Minnesota. The data center and associated Electric Service Agreement will provide a significant contribution to the state’s economy, including a large buildout of new clean energy projects that will contribute to Minnesota’s clean energy goals while ensuring that Xcel Energy’s current customers benefit as a result of this growth.

Data centers serve as the core infrastructure that powers the internet, from personal electronics to business operations to government services. Xcel Energy recently signed an agreement to supply power for the Google data center that will support core services — including Workspace, Search, YouTube and Maps — that people, communities and businesses use every day.

Xcel Energy is committed to ensuring that new large loads do not increase costs for existing customers and that service remains reliable. Under the agreement, Google will pay all costs for its new service in line with its typical practices and Minnesota’s regulatory and legislative requirements for large loads. Over the past five years, Xcel Energy’s average Minnesota residential customer’s electric bills were 27% below the national average. Since 2013, residential electric bills have increased by 1.55% a year, well below the rate of inflation.

Alliant Energy has received approval to move forward with upgrades to the Burlington Iowa Generating Station. The approval allows Alliant Energy to add five new reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) units, totaling 94-megawatts, to replace the combustion turbines that have operated at the Burlington site for more than 30 years. 

The Iowa Utilities Commission unanimously approved Alliant Energy’s Certificate of Public Convenience, Use and Necessity request. 

“With the new RICE units at the Burlington Generating Station, we are positioning the communities we serve for a resilient and reliable energy future,” said Mayuri Farlinger, President of Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company and Vice President of energy delivery. “Our investment strategy remains focused on cost‑conscious decisions that enhance reliability today and help prevent unnecessary costs for customers in the years ahead.” 

Xcel Energy has named Rob Cain its Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer. Cain will lead the company’s Technology and Security Services organization, taking over the role held by Tim Peterson, who accepted a position outside of the company.

The Technology and Security Services organization is vital to Xcel Energy’s resilience, innovation and success. Cain will oversee its key role in modernizing the company’s infrastructure, mitigating cyber and physical security risks, and enabling AI and other advanced digital solutions to reshape the company’s operations and improve the employee and customer experience.

“Rob’s strategic acumen and global perspective will be invaluable as we advance our technology and security vision and accelerate modernization across the enterprise,” said Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President and CEO of Xcel Energy. “He will help us make energy work better by empowering our people, delivering for our customers and strengthening our enterprise capabilities.”

The company has reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025.

MGE Energy's earnings for the fourth quarter of 2025 were $23.3 million, or 64 cents per share, compared to $22.0 million, or 61 cents per share, for the same period in the prior year.

Electric segment earnings increased $11.3 million for 2025 compared to 2024. This growth was largely driven by the successful deployment of key renewable energy projects. The Darien Solar Project in Rock and Walworth counties became operational in March 2025, followed by the Paris Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in June 2025. MGE owns 25 MW of solar capacity from the Darien Solar Project and 11 MW of battery capacity from the Paris BESS.

Gas segment earnings increased $2.5 million for 2025 compared to 2024. During 2025, gas retail therm deliveries increased approximately 14% compared to the prior year, primarily due to warmer-than-normal weather in 2024.

WEC Energy Group has reported net income based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of $1.6 billion, or $4.81 per share, for 2025. This compares to earnings of $1.5 billion, or $4.83 per share, for 2024. Full-year 2025 earnings include a charge of 46 cents per share, reflecting an agreement on the terms of a proposed settlement the company reached with the Illinois Attorney General that would resolve all open proceedings in Illinois related to the Qualifying Infrastructure Plant (QIP) rider and the Uncollectible Expense Adjustment (UEA) rider. Full-year 2024 earnings included a charge of 6 cents per share related to certain capital expenditures under the QIP rider that were disallowed by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Excluding these charges, WEC Energy Group's adjusted earnings for 2025 rose to $5.27 per share – an increase of 8.0 percent over 2024 adjusted earnings of $4.88 per share. For the fourth quarter of 2025, WEC Energy Group recorded net income based on GAAP of $316.6 million, or 97 cents per share. This compares to earnings of $453.5 million, or $1.43 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024. Excluding the 2025 charge, WEC Energy Group's adjusted earnings for the fourth quarter of 2025 totaled $1.42 per share. Consolidated revenues for the full year were $9.8 billion, up $1.2 billion from revenues in 2024. “We delivered another year of solid results — from operational efficiency to customer care to financial performance,” according to Scott Lauber, President and CEO. “We continue to see significant growth opportunities ahead. And we remain focused on enhancing value for our customers and stockholders.”