Alliant Energy has announced plans to expand its Riverside Energy Center in Beloit, Wis., by adding a 650-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas turbine plant to its energy campus. Pending regulatory approval, this investment of $725 million to $775 million is slated for construction in 2016.
“An investment in new, highly efficient natural gas generation provides significant environmental benefits to Wisconsin, brings hundreds of construction jobs to the state and delivers an economic boost to the region,” said Patricia Kampling, Alliant Energy chairman, president and chief executive officer, in a written statement.
For more than 50 years, Alliant’s Rock County campus has been an energy generator for both the area and state. This announcement represents the third major investment at the campus during the last 12 years. Upon its completion in 2019, the plant will become Alliant Energy’s largest Wisconsin power plant.
According to James Otterstein, Rock County economic development manager, “This proposed expansion represents an example of the types of infrastructure enhancements that are continually advancing throughout the Janesville-Beloit MSA.“