Alliant Energy plans to convert Sheboygan's coal-fueled generating station into natural gas. Here's when it could happen.

SHEBOYGAN – The coal-fueled Edgewater Generating Station may convert to natural gas within the next five years as Alliant Energy has announced plans to request the change.

The announcement was made in a news release by the company Thursday. The company said in the release the announcement is a “significant milestone” in ensuring Alliant Energy has continued access to affordable, reliable and cleaner resources.

“This evolution of our Wisconsin resource plan is the best option for meeting the future energy demands of our system in the state, providing critical capacity at the lowest cost to customers,” said Lisa Barton, Alliant Energy’s president and CEO, in the release.

The announcement to convert the Sheboygan station comes in part because of the company’s plan to upgrade and extend its gas pipeline in parts of Wisconsin, including Sheboygan. The pipeline upgrade creates a “unique opportunity to convert the facility,” the release said.

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The conversion project “will avoid an estimated $60 million in customer costs through 2030, directly tying to Alliant Energy’s commitment to deliver affordable energy to all customers,” the release said.

The company estimates the conversion will take place in 2028, after regulatory approvals are received.

The announcement follows multiple clean-energy efforts by Alliant Energy including the completion of the Onion River Solar Project earlier this year. The solar project is a 1,000-acre solar farm in the town of Holland that can reportedly generate enough energy to power about 40,000 homes.

Onion River Solar Project: Alliant's $200M Sheboygan County solar project is nearly complete. Here's how many homes it will power.

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This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Edgewater Generating Station in Sheboygan to convert from coal to gas