The Need for Weston 4
More Electric Customers Than Ever Before
Electric growth in the state continues to grow about 2 to 3 percent per year. Since 1980, we have added about 149,000 customers to the Wisconsin Public Service electric system. Each electric consumer is using more electricity than they used to. The state's population continues to rise. More people, more homes and businesses, using more electricity than ever before and that's why we need more electricity.
Public Service Customer Numbers Continutally Increasing
Growth in Summer Peaks
On July 17, 2006, a new record was set for electricity use at Wisconsin Public Service. The record was set at 2,425 megawatts, marking the first time in the company’s 123 year history of surpassing the 2,400 megawatt mark. This surpasses the previous record by 68 megawatts that was set in the summer of 2005. Eleven new peak records were set in the summer of 2005. (One megawatt of electricity is enough energy to power the needs of 800 average homes.)
Summer Electric Usage Setting Records
Growth in Winter Peaks
The previous record for winter electric usage was 1,940 megawatts in 2003. In December 2004, WPSC exceeded the old record on 13 days, with the new record being set at 2,113 megawatts set on December 20, 2004.
Three ways to meet this Growing Demand
- Use less and conserve. This is the consumer's decision.
- Import power from outside sources. This is difficult because the old existing transmission line infrastructure is already maxed out and limited.
- Build more power plants and add capacity to the system. We are doing this by building Weston 4.
Electric Base Load Generation
Our fleet of existing power plants is getting old. The useful life of a power plant is 40 years. As you can see by the chart below, we have 8 units that are now operating past their expected useful life. Weston 4 is expected to be operating in 2008 and will add 500 much-needed megawatts to the electric system. It's a good start to improving the state's energy infrastructure.
| Plant | Plant Size | Operational |
|---|---|---|
| Pulliam (Green Bay) - Unit 3 (retired 2007) | 30 MW | 1943 |
| Unit 4 (retired 2007) | 30 MW | 1947 |
| Unit 5 | 50 MW | 1949 |
| Unit 6 | 63 MW | 1951 |
| Unit 7 | 75 MW | 1958 |
| Unit 8 | 125 MW | 1964 |
| Weston (Wausau) - Unit 1 | 60 MW | 1954 |
| Unit 2 | 90 MW | 1960 |
| Unit 3 | 360 MW | 1981 |
| Kewaunee Nuclear Plant (sold to Dominion - July 2007) | 316 MW | 1974 |
| Edgewater (Sheboygan) - Unit 4 | 105 MW | 1969 |
| Columbia (Portage) - Unit 4 | 168 MW | 1975 |
| Unit 2 | 168 MW | 1978 |
| Total Before 1960: 523 MW | ||
Wisconsin's Energy Future
Wisconsin's electric utilities and the state regulators put together a plan to meet the state's future energy needs through 2010. The plan was unveiled in summer of 2004. Here are some highlights:
- Peak demand will continue to grow at about 2.5 % each year. This growth in peak demand is equal to adding one major power plant in the state every two years.
- It is expected that there will be an adequate and reliable source of energy to meet public energy needs through 2010. The utilities' significant electric generation building plans are the main reason. Utilities are planning to increase their electric generation by one-third by 2010.
- Coal and nuclear fuel sources will continue to provide the bulk of Wisconsin's electricity through 2010. However, renewable energy sources will impact Wisconsin energy fuel mix as utilities tap new renewable resources to meet the statutory requirement that 10% of their retail sales come from renewable energy sources by 2015 (Act 141).
- Congestion and operational constraints are the principal challenges facing Wisconsin's transmission system. Other challenges include regional and federal transmission requirements.
- Although Wisconsin's rates are competitive, there will continue to be upward pressure on rates to help meet reliability and environmental standards.
Related Information
- The Need for More Electricity Can't Wait
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