Coal-Fired Generation
MGE has no controlling interest in coal-fired resources. In 2011, MGE discontinued the use of coal at the only generating facility in which we have sole ownership, our Blount Generating Station.
As part of MGE's ongoing transition away from coal, MGE and the co-owners of the Columbia Energy Center plan to suspend coal operations at the plant by the end of 2029. This shift from the previous date of 2026 recognizes the co-owners' need for increased capacity. This shift from the previous date of 2026 also is intended to provide the companies time to explore converting at least one of Columbia’s units to natural gas before the end of 2029.
MGE remains committed to eliminating coal as a generation source and to achieving our goal of 80% carbon reduction by 2030. With the planned suspension of coal-fired generation at Columbia, MGE will have eliminated approximately two-thirds of the company's current coal-fired generation capacity. MGE is partnering in an effort to develop energy storage at the Columbia Energy Center site.
In fall 2021, MGE and the co-owners of the Elm Road Generating Station announced the plant's planned transition from coal to natural gas. By the end of 2030, MGE expects coal to be used only as a backup fuel at the facility, and by the end of 2032, MGE plans to have eliminated coal-fired generation from its ownership portfolio.
MGE coal-fired generation
- MGE is a minority owner of the Columbia Energy Center near Portage, Wis. MGE co-owns the power plant with WEC Energy Group and Alliant Energy.
- MGE and the co-owners of the Columbia Energy Center plan to suspend coal operations at the plant by the end of 2029.
- Built in the early 1970s, the approximately 1,100-MW facility has two coal-fired units.
- Alliant Energy is the operating utility.
- MGE is part owner of the Elm Road Generating Station at the Oak Creek Power Plant located in Oak Creek, Wis., along with We Energies and Wisconsin Public Power Inc.
- Unit 1 began operation in February 2010 and Unit 2 in January 2011. The units produce a total of 1,230 MW.
- MGE receives about 100 MW from the plant's two units.
- In fall 2021, MGE and the co-owners of the Elm Road Generating Station announced the plant's planned transition from coal to natural gas. By the end of 2030, MGE expects coal to be used only as a backup fuel at the facility, and by the end of 2032, MGE plans to have eliminated coal-fired generation from its ownership portfolio.
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