Peaking Power Plants

Peaking power plants provide electricity only when our customers' electric needs reach a "peak." These plants can be started and shut off by remote control in a matter of minutes.

Jet engines used as peaking units are similar to the engines in jet aircraft. Diesel engines used for this purpose are much like the engines in railroad locomotives.

Because peaking plants run on more expensive fuels, they are used only during times of need and are immediately shut off when the need for electricity declines.

The fuel used by the peaking plants burns cleanly, minimizing pollutants in the environment.

Peaking Power Plant First Year of Service Fuel Total MW (WPS MW)
De Pere Energy Center
Combustion Turbine - DEC
 
1999
 
Natural Gas/Fuel Oil
 
179.8 (179.8)
Eagle River
2 Diesel Engines
 
1964
 
Diesel Fuel
 
4(4)
Necedah
Combustion Turbine - J31
 
2003
 
Fuel Oil
 
9.8 (9.8)
Oneida
2 Diesel Engines
 
1996
 
Diesel Fuel
 
4 (4)
Pulliam
Gas Turbine - P31*
 
2003
 
Natural Gas
 
82.6 (82.6)
Weston
Gas Turbine - W31
2 Jet Engines - W32
 
1969
1973
 
Natural Gas/Fuel Oil
Natural Gas/Fuel Oil
 
21.5 (21.5)
51 (51)
72.5 (72.5)
West Marinette
2 Jet Engines - WM31
2 Jet Engines - WM32
Gas Turbine - WM33**
 
1971
1973
1993
 
Natural Gas/Fuel Oil
Natural Gas/Fuel Oil
Natural Gas/Fuel Oil
 
41.9 (41.9)
41.9 (41.9)
87.4 (59.4)
171.2 (143.2)
Total WPS peaking capacity = 495.9 MW

* Unit Output controlled by UPPCO
** 68% WPS Jointly Owned