Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), a utility company in the United States, has applied for regulatory approval to increase its solar and battery energy storage capacity by 20 MW and 40 MW, respectively, in the state of Wisconsin.
The proposed expansion is part of MGE's Sunnyside Solar Energy Center project, which it has submitted for approval to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW), the company announced.
The Sunnyside facilities are planned to be built on a 125-acre (50.6 hectares) site in the city of Fitchburg. Project development is being managed by EDF Renewables North America on behalf of MGE.
Pending approval, construction of the Sunnyside Solar Energy Center is expected to commence in 2025. Both the solar farm and the four-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) are anticipated to begin supplying customers by late 2026, according to MGE.
Over the past year, MGE has expanded its energy supply mix by adding 65 MW of new wind and solar power. This includes capacity from the Red Barn wind farm, the Badger Hollow phase two solar farm in 2023, and the Tyto Solar project in February 2024. Additionally, with ongoing development projects, the utility aims to incorporate over 50 MW of solar energy by the end of 2024.
