WEC · 10-Q · 2026Q2 · Full report

Renewable Generation Transition

WEC ENERGY GROUP, INC. · 2026-08-04 · Importance 37 · Surprise 42 · No source text

WEC expects to retire older fossil-fueled generation and replace it with natural-gas generation and zero-carbon-emitting renewable resources to comply with EPA regulations established under the Clean Air Act and reduce emissions. Its long-term goal is net carbon-neutral electric generation by the end of 2050, with coal used only as a backup fuel by the end of 2030 and potentially eliminated as an energy source by the end of 2032. WEC has begun natural-gas co-firing at the ERGS coal-fired units and Weston Unit 4, while co-owners plan to continue coal operations at Columbia Units 1 and 2 through at least 2029 and continue evaluating conversion to natural gas. The company expects to retire approximately 900 MW of additional coal-fired generation by the end of 2031, including OCPP Units 7 and 8 and Weston Unit 3.

Key facts

• We expect to invest approximately $12.6 billion from 2026 to 2030 in regulated renewable energy in Wisconsin. source
• Anticipated 2026 investment in solar is $734.3 million, wind $160.9 million, battery $258.4 million, and thermal $945.7 million. source
• Our regulated renewable investments are anticipated to include 3,850 MWs of utility-scale solar. source
• Our regulated renewable investments are anticipated to include 555 MWs of wind. source
• We expect to be in a position to eliminate coal as an energy source by the end of 2032. source
• We expect to retire approximately 900 MWs of additional coal-fired generation by the end of 2031, which includes the planned retirements of OCPP Units 7 and 8 and Weston Unit 3. source
• UMERC's Renegade achieved commercial operation in March 2026, contributing to a decrease in capital expenditures at UMERC. source
• We have retired nearly 2,500 MWs of fossil-fueled generation since the beginning of 2018. source

Impact estimates