Northeast Wisconsin
Zone 4
Transmission system limitations in Zone 4
In our analysis of Zone 4, we found impending overloads in Brown County. In addition, other ongoing studies have identified several voltage and overload limitations. The most severe limitations are expected to occur during both peak and off‑peak periods.
Several area projects are related to the underlying condition and performance of assets in Zone 4.
Electric system overview
Increases expected in population, employment –
Population in Zone 4 is projected to grow at 0.3 percent annually between now and 2029. Employment is projected to grow at 0.7 percent annually between now and 2029. Brown County is projected to realize the largest total increase in population and employment. Calumet County is projected to have the highest annual growth rates in population and employment at 0.7% and 1.2%, respectively.
Electricity usage
Peak electric demand typically occurs during the summer months, although the northern portion of Zone 4 typically experiences nearly equal summer and winter peaks. Paper mills and foundries in and around the Green Bay and Appleton metropolitan areas are some of the largest electricity users in the zone.
Electric load is forecasted to grow at approximately 0.2 percent annually through 2029. Also, locally generated electricity is declining in the area with smaller, coal‑fired generators most at risk. This includes generation owned by industries, municipalities and utilities.
Transmission projects in Zone 4
The most notable planned, proposed and provisional network/asset renewal projects in Zone 4 are listed below along with their projected year of completion and the factors driving the need for the projects.
Zone 4 includes the counties of:
- Brown , Wis.
- Calumet , Wis.
- Dodge (NE) , Wis.
- Door , Wis.
- Fond Du Lac (E) , Wis.
- Kewaunee , Wis.
- Manitowoc , Wis.
- Marinette (S) , Wis.
- Menominee , Wis.
- Menominee (S) , Wis.
- Oconto , Wis.
- Outagamie , Wis.
- Shawano (E) , Wis.
- Sheboygan , Wis.
- Winnebago (E) , Wis.
Zone 4 Planned Projects
| Project Description | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| J505 GIC Apollo SS Generator Interconnection Facilities and Network Upgrades | 1 | 2021 | G-T interconnections |
| Butte Des Morts–Sunset Point (40321, 80952, A-79, MCRG21) 138-kV line, rebuild | 2 | 2021 | Condition and performance |
| Redwood–First Ave. 69-kV line (T-46), replace the submarine cable | 3 | 2021 | Condition and performance |
| Edgewater SS, 345‑kV bus reconfiguration | 4 | 2022 | Condition and performance |
| Bayport–Pioneer 138-kV, rebuild as a double-circuit and operate as one circuit initially | 5 | 2022 | Condition and performance |
| New Holstein–Custer 69-kV line (P-68), rebuild | 6 | 2022 | Condition and performance |
| Pioneer–Crivitz 138-kV Line (E-83/B-2), Retire 69-kV and Reconfigure Load to 138-kV | 7 | 2022 | Condition and performance, T-D interconnection |
| Finger Road SW STA–Wesmark- Rapids, 69-kV line (FIRY11/R-44), rebuild | 8 | 2023 | Condition and performance |
| Oak St–Hwy V 69-kV line (Z-26), rebuild | 9 | 2025 | Condition and performance |
Zone 4 Proposed Projects
| Project Description | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danz Ave. SW STA–University (WPS) 69-kV line (O-15), underground rebuild & OPGW | 10 | 2023 | Condition and performance |
| Edgewater–Lodestar 138-kV (X-48/Y-31), underground cable rebuild | 11 | 2023 | Condition and performance |
| Howards Grove–Erdman 138-kV line, new | 12 | 2023 | Reliability |
Zone 4 Provisional Projects
| Project Description | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| None |