Peaking power units, which are traditionally gas-fired combustion turbines, are utilized to meet customers’ needs for electricity when there is peak demand on hot summer days. The natural gas unit will further broaden WPL’s existing fuel mix.
Earlier, Alliant Energy Resources, LLC, a non-regulated affiliate of WPL, owned and operated the Neenah energy facility. To purchase the plant, the company received approvals from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in April 2008 and September of 2008 respectively.
Barbara Swan, president of WPL, said that This purchase represents the lowest-cost option to meet our customers’ long-term peaking power needs.”
