Wheaton Repowering Project

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Final Decision Issued

On June 4, 2024, the Commission issued a final decision for this project. At the time of final decision, the anticipated start date of construction was second quarter of 2024 with completion by September of 2025​.

Quarterly construction updates and post decision correspondence between the Commission and the Applicant can be found in the corresponding docket reports.

Docket Reports: 4220​​​-CE-185​

Town of Wheaton, Chippewa County, Wisconsin

Docket ID: 4220-CE-185

Application of Northern States Po​​wer Company-Wisconsin for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to Repower the Wheaton Generating Station in Chippewa County, Wisconsin.​​

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Application Summary

Overview

Northern States Power Company-Wisconsin (NSPW) is proposing construction of a new electric generation facility with a total nameplate capacity of 255 MW. Major components of the project include one F-class Combustion Turbine (CT) generator (210 MW) and five Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE)​ units (9 MW each), which would all be capable of operating with natural gas or No. 2 fuel oil. The facilities would also include accessory structures for water preparation and storage, fuel storage and handling, electrical interconnection, and other support functions. The CT and RICE units would be interconnected to the existing onsite interconnection point currently utilized by Wheaton Units 1-4 and 6, which would be retired in conjunction with the proposed project. Water for nitrogen oxide control and closed cooling would be provided by the existing plant well water supply system. NSPW has provided a proposed site layout and an alternative site layout for the Commission’s consideration.

Applicant stated need

The proposed project is needed to provide needed capacity, stability support, and transmission system reliability, particularly at times of peak energy demand, as NSPW and Northern States Power – Minnesota (NSP-M, and collectively the NSP Companies) retire their coal fleet and other dispatchable generation assets in the Upper Midwest are scheduled to retire or reach the end of their contract lives.​

Estimated cost

The construction cost of the proposed project is currently estimated at $244 million ($914/kilowatt [kW] based on average total capacity of 267 MW) without Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC). Capital expenditures with AFUDC is estimated to be $263 million.

Project location

The proposed project would be located on approximately six acres of property currently owned by NSPW in the Town of Wheaton, in Chippewa County.

Proposed schedule

• The application was submitted to the Commission in January of 2023. 
  
• The applicant anticipates construction for this project to begin in the second quarter of 2024 with an estimated completion date of September 2025.
  

Key Application Documents​

• Application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (January 2023)
  

• PSC Environmental Assessment (December 2023)
  

• PSC Final Decision (June​ 2024)​​

Case Contacts and Additional Information

Access Docket 4220-CE-185 in the PSC Case Management System to view additional information.

Utilize the Staff Involved tab for contact details for PSC staff assigned to the docket, including the case coordinator and the environmental review coordinator.

Click the Documents tab for a complete list of docket documents categorized by document type.​