Our sustainable energy plan

We’re acting for tomorrow


Alliant Energy aspires to reach net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050 for the electricity we generate. In addition, we plan to continue exploring opportunities to eliminate and fully remove CO2 from the environment. Our path will be guided by future policies, economic developments, evolving energy technologies and emerging trends in the communities we serve.

As we move forward, we will maintain sight of the fact that the energy we generate must remain affordable, safe and reliable. Through continued partnerships with customers, communities, regulators and stakeholders, we will successfully progress toward achieving our goals – and creating clean energy.

Our Clean Energy Vision


Successful execution of our strategy will enable us to achieve our clean energy initiatives. This includes:

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By 2030: Achieving a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions (up from our prior goal of 40%)
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By 2030: Reducing water supply – by 75% – for fossil-fuel generation.
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By 2040: Eliminating all coal from our generation fleet – 10 years faster than our previous target.

By 2050:

Meeting a new aspirational goal of net-zero CO2 emissions from the electricity we generate.

We will continue to review and update our Sustainable Energy strategy and Clean Energy Vision, based on future economic developments, evolving energy technologies and emerging trends in the communities we serve.

Six keys to our clean energy transition


We aspire to eliminate all coal from our generation fleet and achieve new carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction goals. To achieve success, we are moving toward a cleaner energy mix and expanding cost-effective renewable resources. We’re also investing in our electric and gas distribution infrastructure, making it stronger, smarter and more adaptable to support evolving energy technologies. Here are all the ways we’re helping our customers and communities Power What’s Next:

Solar


Solar energy is clean, renewable and here to stay. What’s more, solar energy is simpler and less expensive to operate and maintain than traditional coal-powered generation. This translates to long-term economic value for customers and the communities we serve.

Our existing and planned solar projects will power hundreds of thousands of homes across Wisconsin. In addition, we’re bringing Community Solar projects to light later this year.

Learn more about our solar projects

Learn more about Alliant Energy® Community Solar

Learn more about generating your own solar

Wind


Homegrown, clean and low-cost, wind is well-established in the Midwest. Alliant Energy operates and purchases power from wind farms across Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

These wind farm investments provide a variety of revenue streams to local communities and also create well-paying construction jobs.

Learn more about our wind projects

Hydropower


For nearly a century, we’ve been delivering customers electricity from our hydroelectric dams. We also have purchased power agreements with other hydroelectric facilities across Wisconsin and Iowa, many of which we previously owned, that add to our renewable energy mix.

Learn more about our hydropower plants

Electrification


Electric vehicles have never been more popular – or more sensible. By powering cars, trucks, buses and more with clean energy from the wind and sun, we can further lower fuel costs and reduce emissions. We are excited to be on the leading edge of electrification efforts in communities. By 2030, 100 percent of our active light-duty fleet vehicles will be electric.

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Between year-end 2017 and year-end 2019, our retail electric service area saw a 81% increase in plug-in electric vehicles.

(According to the Electric Power Research Institute)
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An electric vehicle being powered by today’s Midwest energy grid already offers a 50% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. This will increase as we add more clean energy.

Battery storage


Renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines cause ebbs and flows on the energy grid as their production fluctuates. Battery storage units smooth out these fluctuations to meet the needs of customers and avoid costly energy grid rebuilds. One battery storage unit we installed in Iowa can store enough energy to power 650 nearby homes for four hours!

We currently have these types of battery storage systems in place. We are gathering operational data for how to most effectively use the stored power and how to cost-effectively replicate them in other places throughout our service area.

Fiber optic cable


Operating the grid of the future will require more data – and fiber will help us serve customers through new and innovative ways. We are installing fiber optic cabling across our service area to create better, faster and stronger digital highways between our critical facilities.
This content may contain forward-looking statements.