Wisconsin greenlights Invenergy, DESRI projects adding 298 megawatts capacity statewide

• Wisconsin regulators approved two Invenergy and DESRI projects totaling up to 298 MW of wind and solar, advancing flexible clean power for the Midwestern grid

Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission (PSC) has cleared two utility-scale renewables projects from Invenergy and D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), opening the door for as much as 298 MW of new wind and solar capacity across the state. The approvals extend a steady buildout that’s shifting Wisconsin’s grid toward cleaner daytime generation while laying groundwork for more evening flexibility.

Although final engineering choices will vary by site, both projects are expected to mirror contemporary best practice. For solar: high-efficiency, bifacial modules on single-axis trackers; DC/AC ratios tuned for strong annual yield; and plant-level controls that provide voltage support, fault ride-through, and rapid curtailment response. For wind: turbines optimized for local wind regimes with low-noise modes where setbacks require them, plus integrated SCADA for coordinated dispatch across mixed portfolios.

Why it matters: Wisconsin’s load is changing. Electrification in transport and industry, paired with data-center growth in the Upper Midwest, is sharpening late-day peaks. Solar brings affordable daytime power; wind complements it overnight and in shoulder seasons. Together, they reduce fuel risk and price volatility. Where interconnection studies permit, co-located batteries—either on day one or as a retrofit—can shift afternoon solar into evening ramps and deliver fast frequency response, a revenue stack lenders increasingly prize.

The PSC’s decisions also reflect a more mature permitting environment. Conditions typically include construction traffic plans, acoustic targets, glare and aviation lighting assessments, and robust biodiversity management—pollinator-friendly groundcover under arrays; habitat buffers near wetlands; and post-construction monitoring for avian and bat interactions at wind sites. Clear decommissioning bonds and site restoration plans now come standard, protecting landowners and municipalities over asset lifetimes.

Next steps are execution: lock long-lead grid gear (transformers, switchgear, protection systems), sequence substation works to avoid outages, and finalize offtake—mixing utility PPAs, corporate deals, and measured merchant exposure. If schedules hold, the Invenergy and DESRI plants will add reliable, low-carbon megawatt-hours and—should storage be included—dispatchable capacity that strengthens Wisconsin’s resilience during tight evening hours.

For the state, it’s a pragmatic win: new construction jobs and tax revenue today, lower fuel risk tomorrow, and a grid better prepared for the Midwest’s next demand chapter.