Saratoga Wind Farm Now Delivering Clean Energy
February 28 2019 - 9:44AM
Business Wire
MGE's largest wind farm advances Energy 2030 goals
Madison Gas and Electric's (MGE) 66-megawatt Saratoga Wind Farm
is fully operational and delivering sustainable, carbon-free energy
to the electric grid. MGE and Vestas – the company that built the
turbines – have completed testing of the turbines and electrical
systems, and the wind farm is fully online.
"Saratoga is serving MGE customers with cost-effective, clean
electricity while adding new, more efficient wind technology to our
energy supply mix," Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Keebler said.
"MGE remains committed to driving carbon out of our energy supply
mix and to reaching our carbon reduction goals. Saratoga – and our
other proposed renewable energy projects – are steps in our ongoing
transition toward a more sustainable energy future."
Consisting of 33 wind turbines, the Saratoga Wind Farm is
located about 200 miles west of Madison near Saratoga in Howard
County, Iowa. This site was chosen for its strong winds and
proximity to existing transmission infrastructure.
Saratoga's turbines reach nearly 500 feet high, which makes them
more efficient. Their height allows them to take advantage of
greater wind speeds and produce more energy per turbine. Saratoga
is capable of generating enough emissions-free energy to power
approximately 47,000 households. Visit MGE's renewable energy
channel, Green View, for a look inside one of Saratoga's wind
turbines.
Deep decarbonization: 80% by 2050
Under its Energy 2030 framework, MGE has pledged to supply 30%
of electric sales with renewable resources by 2030. MGE also is on
a trajectory to reduce carbon emissions at least 40% from 2005
levels by 2030. This is consistent with the U.S. emissions targets
for the 2030 timeframe established under the Paris Agreement on
climate change.
Beyond 2030, MGE is targeting at least an 80% reduction in
carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2050. This also is an
internationally recognized benchmark.
"We have said since establishing these goals that if we can go
further faster by working with our customers, we will," Keebler
said.
MGE continues to actively evaluate other potential wind and
solar generation sites as part of its ongoing transition toward
greater use of renewable resources. The company is seeking
regulatory approval to add 100 megawatts of solar energy to its
energy mix. To reach its carbon reduction goals, MGE is pursuing
the following key strategies:
- Reducing carbon intensity in
electricity generation through the addition of cost-effective
renewable resources.
- Electrifying the transportation sector
by growing the use of electric vehicles and facilitating
charging.
- Working with stakeholders to increase
energy efficiency.
To learn more about how MGE is pursuing these key strategies,
visit energy2030together.com.
About MGE
MGE generates and distributes electricity to 153,000 customers
in Dane County, Wis., and purchases and distributes natural gas to
161,000 customers in seven south-central and western Wisconsin
counties. MGE's parent company is MGE Energy, Inc. The company's
roots in the Madison area date back more than 150 years.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190228005653/en/
Steve SchultzCorporate Communications Manager608-252-7219 |
sbschultz@mge.com
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