The Weston Power Plant site, near Wausau, in central Wisconsin, is home to four fossil-fueled electric generating units that make electricity for WPS customers. Weston 4, the newest unit, is a state-of-the-art, 525-megawatt electric generator that uses clean coal technologies — making it one of the cleanest power plants of its kind in the country. Weston 4 began operating on June 30, 2008. WPS owns 70% (368 MW) and Dairyland Power Cooperative of La Crosse, WI owns 30% (157 MW). Weston Unit 3 began operating in 1981, Unit 2 in 1960 and Unit 1 in 1954.

An Award-Winning Plant

WPS earned high marks for building Weston 4 with quality, excellence in design, efficiency and features to minimize environmental impact.

  • 2012 ISA Best Facility Award. The International Society of Automation (ISA) Electric Power Division named Weston 4 as their "2012 Best Facility." The award recognizes the power plant for its innovative use of digital control systems and optimization software. The ISA Power Division began in 1957 and has a current global membership of 2,400 members.
  • Power Magazine's 2008 Power Plant of the Year. Weston 4 was named "Power Plant of the Year" by Power Magazine. Power Magazine is a leading energy industry publication. The award recognizes a power plant that leads the industry by using advanced technology, being efficient and minimizing environmental impact.
  • Power Engineering magazine's 2008 Best Coal-Fired Project of the Year. Power Engineering magazine recognizes projects that set quality standards in the worldwide energy industry.
  • Finalist for Platts Energy Construction Project of the Year. Weston 4 was a finalist for the 2008 Platts Global Energy Awards in the category of "Construction Project of the Year."

Coal-fired Power Plant

Coal-fired power plants burn coal to produce heat. A boiler uses that heat to convert water into steam. The steam, at high pressure, flows from the boiler to a turbine-generator, where the steam spins a turbine. The spinning turbine is connected to a generator, which produces electricity.

Coal-fired Power Plant Units First Year of Ownership Total MW
Weston
Rothschild, WI		 1 (Coal)
2
3
4*
W-31 (Combustion Turbine)
W-32 (Peaker)		 1954
1960
1981
2008
1969
1973		 60
75
321
368
21
51
Total WPS peaking capacity = 896 MW

* 70% WPS jointly owned with Dairyland Power Cooperative, La Crosse, WI (30%)