Badger Hollow Solar Farm Delivering Energy to MGE Customers

Located near the communities of Montfort and Cobb in Iowa County, Wisconsin, the Badger Hollow Solar Farm has started delivering locally generated, sustainable energy to the electric grid. Our regulated utility subsidiary, Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), owns 50 megawatts (MW) of Phase I of Badger Hollow. MGE's 50-MW share is expected to generate enough electricity to power about 16,500 households.

Construction continues on the 150-MW second phase of the project. MGE will own 50 MW of Phase II. 

"We are excited to have the first phase of the Badger Hollow Solar Farm in service and delivering carbon-free, cost-effective electricity to our customers for decades to come," said Jeff Keebler, MGE Chairman, President and CEO. "This is a great addition to our generation mix, along with the Two Creeks Solar project. Both of these major solar facilities will play a key role in continuing to reduce our carbon emissions, helping us achieve our sustainable energy goals and achieving net-zero carbon electricity."

Two Creeks Solar marks first anniversary

The first large-scale solar facility in state history, Two Creeks Solar, has marked its one-year anniversary. Located in Manitowoc County in the town of Two Creeks and the city of Two Rivers, the 150-MW array came online in November 2020. MGE owns 50 MW of Two Creeks Solar.

Both projects will help MGE achieve its carbon reduction goals. MGE already has reduced its carbon emissions 30% since 2005 and expects to achieve carbon reductions of at least 65% by 2030, consistent with global climate science to limit global warming. MGE continues to transition its energy supply to cleaner sources, with the anticipated addition of nearly 400 MW of wind, solar and battery storage between 2015 and 2024. 

MGE targeting net‐zero carbon electricity

In May 2019, MGE announced its goal of net-zero carbon electricity by 2050, making it one of the first utilities in the nation to commit to net-zero carbon by mid-century. MGE's net-zero goal is consistent with climate science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) October 2018 Special Report on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 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 IPCC.