Application outlines development plans for the 277-MW Columbia Wind Farm.
MADISON, Wis. (January 13, 2025) – Alliant Energy (NASDAQ: LNT) filed an application with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin to construct a 277-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Columbia County. If approved, the Columbia Wind project would strengthen reliability for customers and add new capacity to the grid. Alliant Energy’s proposed Columbia Wind project includes plans for more than 40 wind turbines and represents partnerships with over 300 landowners.
“Our collaboration with landowners and the community in Columbia County demonstrates what’s possible when innovation meets commitment at Alliant Energy,” said Ben Lipari, vice president of commercial operations at Alliant Energy. “Columbia Wind will have more production capability than any other Wisconsin wind site, while having significantly fewer turbines in operation. Our filing with the public service commission expands on our position as an industry leader with utility owner-operated wind, using best practices for minimizing landowner and community impacts.”
The Columbia Wind project has been in development for nearly five years. The project has worked closely with landowners to secure voluntary lease agreements resulting in payments that strengthen local economies and diversify income opportunities. It is estimated Columbia Wind will generate more than $100 million in tax revenue for Columbia County and will create approximately 100-150 construction jobs. Alliant Energy signed an agreement with wind turbine manufacturer Nordex, which recently reopened a manufacturing facility in Iowa.
Once operational, Columbia Wind will produce enough energy to power about 100,000 Wisconsin homes annually. The project is a key part of Alliant Energy’s Energy Blueprint, the company’s roadmap for advancing its balanced energy mix. The strategy combines new, renewable and traditional generation sources to ensure reliable energy delivery while keeping bills as low as possible.
A decision from the PSC is expected in early 2027. Pending approval, Alliant Energy plans to place the wind farm into operation by the end of 2028, reinforcing its position as one of the nation’s top five regulated utility owners and operators of wind generation. Currently, Alliant Energy has 1,800 MW of wind power capacity across Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
For more information about Alliant Energy’s renewable energy initiatives, visit alliantenergy.com/wind.
Media Contact: Taylor Adams | (515) 868-9294
Investor Relations Contact: Susan Trapp Gille | (608) 458-3956
About Alliant Energy
The Alliant Energy (NASDAQ: LNT) mission is to deliver energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Based in Madison, its Wisconsin-based energy company, Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), is principally engaged in the generation and distribution of electricity to approximately 500,000 electric retail customers and the distribution and transportation of natural gas to about 200,000 natural gas retail customers in select Wisconsin communities. The company operates in municipalities pursuant to permits of indefinite duration and state statutes authorizing utility operation in areas annexed by a municipality. In addition, the company sells electricity to wholesale customers in Wisconsin. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com and follow Alliant Energy on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.
About Columbia Project LLC
Columbia Project LLC is a nonregulated subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation and an affiliated interest of Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), Alliant Energy’s regulated public utility serving Wisconsin customers. Columbia Project LLC is the developer of the proposed Columbia Wind Project and filed the application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Columbia Project LLC expects WPL will seek Commission approval to acquire the Columbia Wind Project. Subject to Commission approval, and upon closing of that transaction, WPL would assume responsibility for ongoing development, construction and operation of the Project.
Forward-looking statements
This release includes forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified because they include a word such as “plans,” “could be,” “expects” or other words or expressions of similar import. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. Actual results could be materially affected by the following factors, among others: Regulatory action on Alliant Energy’s filing and other regulatory or governmental actions; governmental actions that delay or reject the proposed generation construction plans, or that include terms that make the future generation construction plans uneconomical; unanticipated construction issues, delays or expenditures; the inability to obtain necessary equipment and labor in a timely manner; access to and cost increases of materials, equipment and commodities including due to tariffs, duties or other assessments, such as labor issues or supply shortages, the ability to successfully resolve warranty issues or contract disputes; failure of equipment and technology to perform as expected; political conditions in Alliant Energy’s service territories; changes to Alliant Energy’s access to capital markets; current or future litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries; and economic conditions in Alliant Energy’s service territory. These factors should be considered when evaluating the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof and Alliant Energy and WPL undertake no obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
