WEC · 8-K · 20260904PR000099

Data Center / Load Growth

WEC ENERGY GROUP, INC. · 2026-09-04 · Importance 78 · Surprise 74 · In source text

WEC forecasts Wisconsin electric demand growth of 6.0%–8.0% for 2028–2030 and expects to add 3.9 GW, approximately 45%, of electric demand during 2026–2030. Microsoft’s Mount Pleasant project accounts for 2.6 GW of demand forecast through 2030; Phase 1 operations began in April 2026, and Microsoft has announced more than $20 billion of investment, including 15 additional data centers beyond the first two phases. In Port Washington, Vantage is developing four data center buildings on 670 acres for the OpenAI–Oracle Stargate expansion, with investment expected to exceed $15 billion and site potential of up to 3.5 GW over time. Oracle has met the applicable financial security requirements and is paying its full share of energy costs, according to the presentation.

Key facts

• WEC expects to add 3.9 GW, approximately 45%, of electric demand in 2026–2030. source
• Vantage Data Centers is developing four data center buildings on 670 acres in Port Washington, with expected investment of more than $15 billion; the site has potential to reach up to 3.5 GW over time. source
• WEC forecasts Wisconsin weather-normalized electric sales growth of 6.0%–8.0% and gas sales growth of 0.7%–1.0% for 2028–2030. source
• The Microsoft data center project in the I-94 Milwaukee-to-Chicago corridor has announced investment of more than $20 billion, including $7.3 billion for phases 1 and 2 and $13 billion additional investment. source
• The Microsoft data center project began Phase 1 operations in April 2026. source

Impact estimates