The first large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) in Wisconsin, a 110MW facility known as the Paris Solar-Battery Park, is now operational. This system is paired with 200MW of solar power that commenced service in December 2024.
Utility company We Energies holds the majority stake in 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. The collaboration between Wisconsin utilities and Invenergy has been ongoing. Recently, MGE teamed up with WPS and We Energies to acquire 30MW of solar capacity and 16.5MW of battery storage from Invenergy’s High Noon Solar Energy Centre, which is expected to begin commercial operations in 2027. This agreement also includes We Energies and WPS owning an additional 270MW of solar capacity and 148.5MW of battery storage.
In 2023, MGE announced plans to procure energy from Invenergy’s Koshkonong Solar Energy Centre located in Dane County, Wisconsin. This deal marked yet another partnership with WPS and We Energies. In October 2024, Energy-Storage.news reported that MGE and two other utilities were seeking regulatory approval for two solar-plus-storage projects from Invenergy as part of a $1.92 billion investment aimed at reducing carbon emissions statewide. This acquisition involved MGE sharing 10MW of BESS capacity with WPS and obtaining 5MW of solar capacity.
In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) announced a conditional commitment for a loan of up to $2.5 billion to Wisconsin Electric Power Company (WEPCO), a subsidiary of We Energies. This funding is intended to help finance approximately 1,650MW of utility-scale renewable energy generation and energy storage projects within the state.
Mike Hooper, president of We Energies, emphasized 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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