We Energies announces updated timeline for Oak Creek plant retirements
We Energies (NYSE: WEC) has announced an extension to the operating lives of units 7 and 8 at the Oak Creek Power Plant through the end of 2026, postponing their previously scheduled retirement from end of 2025. The decision is driven by tightened energy supply requirements in the Midwest power market and the need to maintain reliable service during peak demand periods.
The units, built in the 1960s, have a total capacity of 610 megawatts (MW) and feature modern environmental controls. We Energies is simultaneously advancing plans for over 6,300 MW of new generation capacity, including natural gas, wind, solar, and battery storage projects over the next five years. The company serves more than 1.1 million electric and natural gas customers in Wisconsin.
We Energies (NYSE: WEC) ha annunciato un'estensione della vita operativa delle unità 7 e 8 della centrale elettrica di Oak Creek fino alla fine del 2026, posticipando il loro ritiro precedentemente previsto per la fine del 2025. La decisione è motivata dalle stringenti esigenze di approvvigionamento energetico nel mercato elettrico del Midwest e dalla necessità di garantire un servizio affidabile durante i periodi di picco della domanda.
Le unità, costruite negli anni '60, hanno una capacità totale di 610 megawatt (MW) e sono dotate di moderni sistemi di controllo ambientale. Contemporaneamente, We Energies sta portando avanti piani per oltre 6.300 MW di nuova capacità di generazione, includendo progetti a gas naturale, eolico, solare e accumulo tramite batterie nei prossimi cinque anni. L'azienda serve più di 1,1 milioni di clienti elettrici e di gas naturale in Wisconsin.
We Energies (NYSE: WEC) ha anunciado una extensión de la vida operativa de las unidades 7 y 8 en la planta de energía Oak Creek hasta finales de 2026, posponiendo su retiro previamente programado para finales de 2025. La decisión responde a las crecientes demandas de suministro energético en el mercado eléctrico del Medio Oeste y a la necesidad de mantener un servicio confiable durante los períodos de máxima demanda.
Las unidades, construidas en la década de 1960, tienen una capacidad total de 610 megavatios (MW) y cuentan con controles ambientales modernos. Al mismo tiempo, We Energies está avanzando en planes para más de 6,300 MW de nueva capacidad de generación, incluyendo proyectos de gas natural, eólico, solar y almacenamiento con baterías en los próximos cinco años. La compañía atiende a más de 1.1 millones de clientes de electricidad y gas natural en Wisconsin.
We Energies (NYSE: WEC)는 Oak Creek 발전소의 7호 및 8호기의 운영 수명을 2025년 말에서 2026년 말까지 연장한다고 발표했습니다. 이 결정은 중서부 전력 시장의 엄격한 에너지 공급 요구와 피크 수요 기간 동안 안정적인 서비스를 유지할 필요성에 따른 것입니다.
1960년대에 건설된 이 두 유닛은 총 610메가와트(MW)의 용량을 가지고 있으며 현대적인 환경 제어 시스템을 갖추고 있습니다. We Energies는 동시에 향후 5년간 천연가스, 풍력, 태양광, 배터리 저장 프로젝트를 포함한 6,300MW 이상의 신규 발전 용량 계획을 추진 중입니다. 이 회사는 위스콘신에서 110만 명 이상의 전기 및 천연가스 고객에게 서비스를 제공합니다.
We Energies (NYSE : WEC) a annoncé une prolongation de la durée de fonctionnement des unités 7 et 8 de la centrale électrique d'Oak Creek jusqu'à la fin de 2026, reportant leur arrêt initialement prévu pour fin 2025. Cette décision est motivée par des exigences accrues en matière d'approvisionnement énergétique sur le marché de l'électricité du Midwest et la nécessité d'assurer un service fiable pendant les périodes de forte demande.
Les unités, construites dans les années 1960, ont une capacité totale de 610 mégawatts (MW) et disposent de dispositifs modernes de contrôle environnemental. Parallèlement, We Energies fait avancer des projets visant à ajouter plus de 6 300 MW de nouvelle capacité de production, incluant des installations au gaz naturel, éoliennes, solaires et de stockage par batteries au cours des cinq prochaines années. L'entreprise dessert plus de 1,1 million de clients d'électricité et de gaz naturel dans le Wisconsin.
We Energies (NYSE: WEC) hat die Verlängerung der Betriebsdauer der Einheiten 7 und 8 im Kraftwerk Oak Creek bis Ende 2026 bekannt gegeben und verschiebt damit deren ursprünglich für Ende 2025 geplante Stilllegung. Die Entscheidung wurde durch verschärfte Energieversorgungsanforderungen auf dem Strommarkt im Mittleren Westen und die Notwendigkeit getroffen, während Spitzenlastzeiten eine zuverlässige Versorgung sicherzustellen.
Die in den 1960er Jahren gebauten Einheiten verfügen über eine Gesamtkapazität von 610 Megawatt (MW) und moderne Umweltschutzanlagen. Gleichzeitig verfolgt We Energies Pläne für über 6.300 MW neue Erzeugungskapazität, darunter Erdgas-, Wind-, Solar- und Batteriespeicherprojekte in den nächsten fünf Jahren. Das Unternehmen versorgt mehr als 1,1 Millionen Strom- und Erdgas-Kunden in Wisconsin.
- Extension helps maintain grid reliability during high demand periods
- Plant features modern environmental controls despite age
- Company advancing 6,300 MW of new clean energy projects
- Extension will not delay planned renewable energy projects
- Continued reliance on aging power infrastructure from the 1960s
- Delayed transition away from traditional power generation
- Elevated risks of power supply shortages in the Upper Midwest
- Potential exposure to fuel and purchased power cost fluctuations
Insights
We Energies extends Oak Creek units 7-8 operation through 2026 to address Midwest energy shortages, maintaining 610MW capacity while proceeding with clean energy transition.
We Energies' decision to extend the operational timeline for Oak Creek units 7 and 8 through 2026 represents a strategic reliability-focused adjustment amid challenging grid conditions. The one-year extension maintains 610 megawatts of generating capacity that would have otherwise been retired, directly addressing what grid operators have identified as "elevated risks of power supply shortages" in the Upper Midwest.
This move reflects the complex balancing act utilities face during the energy transition. While We Energies remains committed to its clean energy buildout – with an ambitious 6,300MW of new generation projects in various stages of development – the company is pragmatically addressing near-term grid stability concerns. The 1960s-era Oak Creek units, equipped with modern environmental controls, provide valuable dispatchable generation during peak demand periods that occur during extreme weather events.
The extension signals We Energies' recognition of tightening reserve margins across the MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) region. Numerous conventional power plants have been retired across the Midwest in recent years, creating capacity shortfalls that have led to warnings from grid operators about potential reliability issues. This decision represents a measured approach that prioritizes system reliability while maintaining the company's longer-term decarbonization strategy.
Notably, the company explicitly stated this extension won't delay its broader generation transformation, which includes natural gas, renewables, and battery storage. This indicates the company is taking a "both/and" rather than "either/or" approach to maintaining reliability while pursuing its clean energy objectives – a strategy that should reassure investors concerned about execution risk during this complex transition period.
The decision to postpone the retirement dates for these units is based on two critical factors: tightened energy supply requirements in the Midwest power market and the need to serve customers with safe, reliable and affordable energy — especially on the hottest and coldest days of the year.
"Reliability is at the forefront of everything we do. This decision will help us keep the lights on every day and every season," said Mike Hooper, president — We Energies. "Just this month, national grid experts raised the alarm of elevated risks of power supply shortages and price spikes due to plant closures and increasing energy demand in the Upper Midwest. We will continue to evaluate the future of the plant based on capacity needs, available generation and what is financially prudent."
We Energies is actively planning, permitting or constructing more than 6,300 MW of new generation — including natural gas, wind, solar — and battery storage over the next five years to meet customers' energy needs and provide enhanced grid stability. The extension of the
We Energies serves more than 1.1 million electric customers and 1.1 million natural gas customers in
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning management's expectations and projections regarding power supply, customer demand, and new generation projects. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "guidance," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible," "potential," "projects," "should," "targets," "will" or similar terms or variations of these terms.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, including business and competitive conditions in the company's service territories; timing, resolution and impact of rate cases and other regulatory decisions; the company's ability to continue to successfully integrate the operations of its subsidiaries; availability of the company's generating facilities and/or distribution systems; unanticipated changes in fuel and purchased power costs; key personnel changes; unusual, varying or severe weather conditions; continued industry restructuring and consolidation; continued advances in, and adoption of, new technologies that produce power or reduce power consumption; energy and environmental conservation efforts; electrification initiatives, mandates and other efforts to reduce the use of natural gas; the company's ability to successfully acquire and/or dispose of assets and projects and to execute on its capital plan; terrorist, physical or cyber-security threats or attacks and data security breaches; construction risks; labor disruptions; equity and bond market fluctuations; changes in the company's and its subsidiaries' ability to access the capital markets; changes in tax legislation or our ability to use certain tax benefits and carryforwards; changes in and uncertainty around federal, state, and local legislation and regulation, including changes resulting from the current
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SOURCE We Energies
FAQ
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