North Central Wisconsin
Zone 1
Transmission system limitations in Zone 1
Zone 1 has a few key system performance issues. High voltages may occur in the northern portion of the zone under system intact as well as contingent system conditions. Potential overloads and low voltages that are a result of multiple contingency planning events will continue to be monitored. The most severe limitations are expected during both peak and off-peak periods.
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 several large paper mills and food processing plants.
Electric load is forecasted to grow approximately 0.2 percent annually through 2033.
Transmission projects in Zone 1
The most notable planned, proposed and provisional network/asset-renewal projects in Zone 1, are listed below – along with their projected year of completion and the factors driving the need for the projects.
Zone 1 includes the counties of:
- Adams , Wis.
- Fond du Lac (NW) , Wis.
- Forest (SW) , Wis.
- Green Lake , Wis.
- Juneau , Wis.
- Langlade , Wis.
- Lincoln , Wis.
- Marathon , Wis.
- Marquette , Wis.
- Monroe (E) , Wis.
- Oneida , Wis.
- Portage , Wis.
- Shawano (W) , Wis.
- Vernon (E) , Wis.
- Vilas (S) , Wis.
- Washara , Wis.
- Waupaca , Wis.
- Winnebago (W) , Wis.
- Wood , Wis.
Zone 1 Planned Projects
| Project Description | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waupaca Area Energy Storage Project | 1 | 2023 | Operational Flexibility |
| J732 Superior SS Generator Interconnection and Network Upgrades | 2 | 2026 | G-T Interconnection |
| Wautoma–Chaffee Creek 69‑kV line (Y‑49) rebuild | 3 | 2023 | Condition and Performance |
| Chaffee Creek–Lincoln Pump Station 69‑kV line (Y‑18) rebuild | 4 | 2023/2024 | Condition and Performance |
| J1002 Wautoma SS Network Upgrades and Interconnection Facilities | 5 | 2023 | G-T Interconnection |
| Petenwell–Saratoga (X-43), Line Rebuild | 6 | 2023 | Reliability, Economic |
| Rocky Run Transformer Replacement | 7 | 2023 | Reliability |
| McKenna–Castle Rock 69-kV line (Y-47) rebuild | 8 | 2025 | Condition and Performance |
Zone 1 Proposed Projects
| Project Description | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central WI Reliability Project | 9 | 2026 | Reliability |
| Groenier - Rosholt (ALTE) Tap, 69 kV (Y-71), Partial Rebuild and Rerate | 10 | 2026 | Condition and Performance |
Zone 1 Provisional Projects
| Project Description | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Run - Werner West 345 kV (WERWL41), Rebuild | 11 | 2028 | Condition and Performance |
| Rocky Run SS T2 and T4 Power Transformer Replacement | 12 | 2026 | Reliability |