A celebration signaled the start of one of Wisconsin’s largest economic and job growth projects. Alliant Energy’s Riverside Energy Center expansion, near Beloit, Wis., is a 700-megawatt, natural gas-fueled generating facility with an integrated, two-megawatt solar field.
The approximately $700 million project will create more than 1,000 construction jobs and result in an estimated $250 million economic impact during construction.
More than 200 individuals attended the ceremony, including Governor Scott Walker, Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Chairperson Ellen Nowak, and other state and local leaders.
“Today marks a major step forward in our mission to provide cost-effective, reliable energy for decades to come,” said Patricia Kampling, Alliant Energy Chairman, President and CEO. “This highly efficient facility will modernize our generating operations and advance our transition to cleaner energy sources.”
Once completed by early 2020, the Riverside expansion will have the capacity to serve more than 535,000 homes. This facility will complement growing investments in renewable energy. In addition, the solar field will enhance the sustainability of the generating station and increase Alliant Energy’s renewable energy portfolio.
“Community support and strong partnerships made this possible,” said John Larsen, President of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin utility. “The investment in this site will shape the energy future for our customers and our company.”
The Riverside expansion is underway on the western edge of a 315-acre energy campus in the Town of Beloit, Wis. The location includes the existing 675-megawatt, natural gas-fueled Riverside Energy Center and the Beloit Operations Center. Wisconsin’s largest solar facility – the Rock River 2.3 megawatt solar project – is also part of the campus and started generating energy earlier this year.
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