Wisconsin's $730M Wind Farm to Power 100,000 Homes

Wisconsin families are about to get cleaner, cheaper electricity thanks to a massive new wind farm that shows renewable energy is winning on every front.

Alliant Energy plans to build a 277-megawatt wind farm in Columbia County with more than 40 turbines stretching across rural farmland. The $730 million project will generate enough electricity to power 100,000 homes annually when it starts operating in late 2028.

The numbers tell an exciting story about how far wind technology has come. Just ten years ago, a project this size would have needed two or three times as many turbines. Today's wind turbines are taller and more powerful, capturing more energy while taking up less space across the countryside.

More than 300 landowners have already signed lease agreements for the project, which has been in development for nearly five years. These farmers and rural property owners will receive steady lease payments that help diversify their income beyond traditional farming.

The financial case for wind energy keeps getting stronger. Project manager Justin Foss says customers will save an estimated $463 million over 35 years because the utility won't have to pay for volatile fossil fuels. Wind is free once the turbines are spinning.

Columbia County stands to gain more than $100 million in tax revenue from the project. Construction will create 100 to 150 jobs, likely union positions that provide good wages and benefits.

The Ripple Effect

This project shows how renewable energy creates winners across entire communities. Landowners get new income streams. Taxpayers get better funded schools and services. Workers get construction jobs. And every customer gets lower electric bills while breathing cleaner air.

Amy Barrilleaux from Clean Wisconsin points out that wind and solar are now the two cheapest ways to produce energy in the state. Unlike coal or natural gas, there's no fuel to truck in, no pollution to clean up, and no price spikes when global markets get shaky.

Alliant has worked to address community concerns through public presentations across multiple townships. The company recognizes that big changes can create uncertainty, so they're making themselves available to answer questions and hear feedback.

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission will review the application this year, with a decision expected in early 2027. If approved, construction would begin soon after.

This wind farm represents the kind of progress that benefits everyone: cleaner air, lower costs, local jobs, and reliable power for a century of Wisconsin winters and summers ahead.