North Central Wisconsin
Zone 1
The most notable planned, proposed and provisional network projects and asset renewal projects in Zone 1,
along with their projected year of completion and the factors driving the need for the projects, are listed below.
Transmission system characteristics in Zone 1
ATC delivers power in Zone 1 with various transmission facilities including:
-
East-west 345-kV line from Arpin Substation through Stevens Point extending to the Appleton area,
-
345-kV line extending from Wausau to northeastern Minnesota,
-
345-kV line extending from Wausau to Stevens Point to eastern Outagamie County (Highway 22),
-
115-kV network in the northern portion of the zone, and
- 138-kV and 69-kV network in the southern portion of the zone.
Transmission system limitations in Zone 1
Key system performance issues in Zone 1 include low voltages and thermal overloads in the southern portion of the zone. These issues will necessitate a combination of reinforcements. For the northern portion of the zone, other ongoing studies have identified voltage and thermal limitations. The most severe limitations occur during both peak and off‑peak periods.
Electric system overview
Slight increases expected in population and employment – Population in Zone 1 is projected to grow at 0.6 percent annually between now and 2024. Employment is projected to grow at 1.0 percent annually between now and 2024. Marathon County is projected to realize the largest increase in population and employment, while Adams County is projected to have the highest growth rate in population and employment.
Electricity usage
Peak electric demand typically occurs during the summer months, with some winter peaks appearing in the northern portion of the zone. Primary electricity users in Zone 1 include a number of large paper mills and food processing plants. Electric load is forecasted to grow approximately 0.4 percent annually through 2025.
Transmission projects in Zone 1
The most notable planned, proposed and provisional network projects and asset renewal projects in Zone 1, along with their projected year of completion and the factors driving the need for the projects, are listed below.
Zone 1 includes the counties of:
- Adams , WI
- Fond du Lac (NW) , WI
- Forest (SW) , WI
- Green Lake , WI
- Juneau , WI
- Langlade , WI
- Lincoln , WI
- Marathon , WI
- Marquette , WI
- Monroe (E) , WI
- Oneida , WI
- Portage , WI
- Shawano (W) , WI
- Vernon (E) , WI
- Vilas (S) , WI
- Washara , WI
- Waupaca , WI
- Winnebago (W) , WI
- Wood , WI
Zone 1 Planned Projects
| Project Description | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|
| Fairwater-Mackford Prairie 69-kV line construction | 2017 | Network service, condition, overloads and low voltages |
Zone 1 Proposed Projects
| Project Description | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|
| M13 Reinforcement Bunker Hill-Blackbrook | 2019 | Overloads and condition |
Zone 1 Asset Renewal Projects
| Project Description | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|
| Montello-Wautoma 69-kV line rebuild | 2016 | Condition and performance |
| Plover-Whiting 115‑kV line rebuild | 2019 | Condition and performance |