NextEra, WPPI plans to build 100 MW solar Energy Center in Wisconsin

WPPI Energy and NextEra Energy Resources, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy announced plans to build a 100-megawatt solar energy center – Wisconsin’s largest – with a capacity to serve more than 23,000 people with affordable, clean energy.

“This solar energy center adds diversity to WPPI Energy’s power supply portfolio in a way that’s more cost-effective than other opportunities currently available to us,” said Mike Peters, president and CEO of WPPI Energy. “In addition, WPPI Energy has achieved significant emissions reductions over the past 10 years, and the clean, renewable energy generated by this project will help us continue that effort.”

WPPI Energy has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement to buy the electricity from the solar energy center to serve its 51 member utilities and their customers across Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and Iowa.

“We are pleased to partner with WPPI Energy to bring the largest universal solar energy center to Wisconsin,” said Mike O’Sullivan, senior vice president of Development for NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and the sun. “This energy center will harness the state’s own sunshine to create clean, renewable energy, as well as good-paying jobs and increased tax revenue for the state and local community.”

NextEra Energy Resources plans to build and operate the Point Beach Solar Energy Center on land adjacent to its existing Point Beach Nuclear Plant in Two Rivers. The project will create 150-200 jobs during its construction period, which typically lasts six to nine months. The Point Beach Solar Energy Center is scheduled to come online in 2021.