UW-Madison Net-Zero Analysis

Analysis of MGE's net-zero carbon goal by the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies

In 2020, the University of Wisconsin-Madison released its analysis of MGE's goal of net-zero carbon electricity by 2050. The report compared the company's goal to the modeled pathways for the electricity sector in industrialized nations to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Relative to publicly available model results for carbon reductions through 2050, the analysis found MGE's goal is in line with or more aggressive than these model benchmarks for climate solutions.   

Led by Dr. Tracey Holloway in the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, the study used climate modeling available through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in the context of the IPCC's October 2018 Special Report. 

Independent analysis 

Dr. Tracey Holloway used energy use models to analyze MGE's deep decarbonization goal. The models suggested that by 2050, emissions from electricity generation in industrialized countries should be 87% to 99% lower than the 2005 baseline. MGE has announced a plan for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, which is a 100% reduction from 2005 levels. MGE's plan reflects carbon reductions consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C to prevent the most severe impacts of climate change. 

Read the UW-Madison report: Interpreting Global Energy Scenarios for Emissions Planning at the Utility Scale