January 15, 2022

Badger Hollow Network Upgrades project in service, connecting solar capacity to the grid

In late December 2021, ATC completed construction of our Badger Hollow Network Upgrades project in Iowa County, Wis. This high-voltage electric interconnection project provides a pathway of power from the 300-megawatt Badger Hollow Solar Park to our region’s electric grid.  

The Badger Hollow Solar Park is a facility jointly owned by We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service and Madison Gas and Electric – with each utility owning 100 megawatts of the energy produced. The first 150MW of solar power was placed into service in December and the second 150MW is expected online by the end of 2022. 

To transport that much electric capacity onto the grid and also address thermal overloads from the prior configuration, we needed a new electric transmission line and other modifications in the region to bolster capacity on the system,” said Jon Meiers, ATC senior project manager. 

Components of the $15.6 million Badger Hollow Network Upgrades project included: 

  • Expanding the Highland Substation in the town of Eden, Wis. 
  • Constructing a new double-circuit 69,000-volt transmission line south from the Highland Substation to connect with line Y-138 in the town of Eden, Wis. 
  • Uprating the transmission line between Highland Substation and the Spring Green Substation by replacing or modifying select existing structures

A map of the project can be viewed here.