The first large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) in Wisconsin, the 110MW Paris Solar-Battery Park, has officially begun operations. This BESS is integrated with 200MW of solar energy, which was activated in December 2024.
Utility company We Energies is the primary owner of the project, while Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) share co-ownership. The Paris Solar-Battery Park was developed by independent power producer Invenergy and is situated in Kenosha County. We Energies, WPS, and MGE have collaborated with Invenergy on several occasions. Recently, MGE partnered with WPS and We Energies to acquire 30MW of solar capacity along with 16.5MW of battery storage from Invenergy’s High Noon Solar Energy Centre, which is anticipated to commence commercial operations in 2027. This partnership also includes We Energies and WPS owning the remaining 270MW of solar and 148.5MW of battery storage.
In 2023, MGE announced plans to purchase energy produced by Invenergy’s Koshkonong Solar Energy Centre in Dane County, Wisconsin, marking yet another collaboration with WPS and We Energies. In October 2024, it was reported that three utilities, including MGE, were seeking regulatory approval for two solar-plus-storage projects from Invenergy as part of a US$1.92 billion investment aimed at reducing carbon emissions across the state. This acquisition allowed MGE to share 10MW of BESS capacity with WPS and obtain an additional 5MW of solar capacity.
In December 2024, the US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office announced a conditional commitment for a loan of up to US$2.5 billion to Wisconsin Electric Power Company (WEPCO), a subsidiary of We Energies. This loan is intended to finance approximately 1,650MW of utility-scale renewable energy generation and energy storage projects in the state.
Mike Hooper, president of We Energies, remarked on the significance of the Paris Solar-Battery Park, stating, “Bringing Wisconsin’s first large-scale battery storage project online is historic and continues our commitment to provide customers reliable and affordable energy.” He added, “Our ‘all of the above’ power generation approach means customers can count on the energy they need, no matter the weather or the time of day.”
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