Electric Power Generation

Alliant Energy's generation division produces electricity at more than 30 power plants across the upper Midwest, with a total output of over 5,000 megawatts (MW) - enough to light 1.5 million homes.

Alliant Energy’s commitment to providing safe, affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible power can be seen in many ways throughout its generating facilities and efforts to expand generating capabilities.

The company continues to install new equipment at many electric generating facilities that will reduce the environmental footprint of customer’s energy consumption.

The company continues to expand low- and no-emissions generation options as well. Recently, Alliant Energy expanded its low-emissions natural gas-fired generation fleet and expects further expansion in 2013.  In addition, it’s focused on several new wind projects that will produce renewable energy for our customers. 

Emissions Controls

Alliant Energy is implementing its Clean Air Compliance Program (CACP) to install additional air emissions controls and monitoring equipment at many of the company's electric generating units.

In May 2008, Alliant Energy broke ground on its largest CACP project to date at IPL’s Lansing Generating Station in Iowa. These plans include installation of equipment to reduce both NOx and mercury emissions by 90 percent. Construction is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2010.

Further emissions control projects for WPL are now pending regulatory approval for Edgewater Generating Station Unit 5 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and Columbia Energy Center Units 1 and 2 in Portage, Wisconsin.

The plans at Edgewater include installation of equipment to reduce NOx emissions. The plans at Columbia include the installation of to reduce SO2 and mercury emissions by 90 percent each.

Alliant Energy subsidiary RMT, Inc., is on the forefront pollution prevention through the use of SmartBurn, a science-and technology-driven approach to reducing NOx emissions. SmartBurn has been successfully implemented at several Alliant Energy coal plants, resulting in significant emission reductions.

Natural Gas-Fired Generation

Alliant Energy recently purchased a natural gas generating facility at Neenah, Wisconsin, which has a nameplate capacity of 300 megawatts (MW) and expects to purchased the 600 MW natural gas-fired Riverside Generating Station near Beloit, Wisconsin in 2013.

Natural gas-fired generation stations provide a key source of power for days with higher demand for electricity, while also providing electric generation that is low in carbon emissions.

Alliant Energy continues to evaluate the types of capacity additions must be pursued to meet customers’ long-term energy needs. The company is monitoring several factors that will influence those evaluations, including changes in long-term projections of customer demand and environmental requirements such as future carbon and renewable requirements.

Wind Power Expansion

Renewable power also remains a focus for Alliant Energy. Three new wind farms are in various stages of operation or development.  These investments represent more than 450 MW of new renewable generation expected online in just three years. Along with the company’s continuing purchased power agreements for wind power, this new wind generation continues Alliant Energy’s long-standing position as a leader in use of locally-produced renewable energy.

In December 2008, Alliant Energy commissioned its first utility-owned wind power project near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  In addition, two more Alliant Energy-owned projects are in planning and development, one in Franklin County, Iowa and one in Freeborn County, Minnesota.

Get more details on Alliant Energy wind development projects: