Northeast Wisconsin
Zone 4
Transmission system limitations in Zone 4
Ongoing analysis of Zone 4 has identified several voltage and overload limitations. The most severe limitations are expected to occur during both peak periods.
Several area projects are related to the underlying condition and performance of assets in Zone 4.
Electricity usage growing
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 0.3 percent annually through 2032. 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 (S) , Wis.
- Menominee , 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| J1171 Butternut SS Network Upgrades and Interconnection Facilities | 1 | 2023 | G-T interconnection |
| Pioneer–Crivitz 138-kV Line (E-83/B-2), Retire 69-kV and Reconfigure Load to 138-kV | 2 | 2023 | Condition and Performance, T-D interconnection |
| Howards Grove – Erdman 138kV, new line | 3 | 2023 | Reliability |
| Edgewater SS - Lodestar SS 138 kV (X-48/Y-31), underground cable rebuild | 4 | 2023 | Condition and Performance |
| J1101 Kewaunee SS Interconnection Facilities and Network Upgrades | 5 | 2023 | G-T interconnection |
| Danz Ave. SW STA - University (WPS) 69-kV line (O-15), underground rebuild & OPGW | 6 | 2023 | Condition and Performance |
| Finger Road SW STA–Wesmark- Rapids, 69-kV line (FIRY11/R-44), rebuild | 7 | 2024 | Condition and Performance |
| North Appleton SS - Transformer Replacement and Asset Renewal | 8 | 2024 | Condition and Performance |
| Oak St - Hwy V 69-kV line (Z-26), rebuild | 9 | 2025 | Condition and Performance |
| West Marinette SS – Transformer and Breaker Asset Renewal | 10 | 2025 | Condition and Performance |
| Wells St. DIC - new West Marinette-Wells St. 69kV line | 11 | 2024 | T-D interconnection |
Zone 4 Proposed Projects
| Project Description | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A |
Zone 4 Provisional Projects
| Project Description | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Holstein Area Reliability Project | 12 | 2026 | Reliability |
| East Krok Transformer Replacement | 13 | 2026 | Reliability |