Alliant Energy has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin seeking approval for a 277-megawatt wind farm in Columbia County, marking one of the utility’s most significant renewable energy proposals in the state to date. The Columbia Wind project would add new generating capacity to Wisconsin’s grid and expand the company’s utility-owned wind fleet if regulators grant approval.

The plan for the development includes the erection of more than 40 turbines on farmland and rural land. The company claims to have reached voluntary land use agreements with more than 300 participating land owners after conducting extensive planning, environmental assessments, and outreach. Alliant Energy states that the plan has been under development for close to five years as part of the utility’s overall transition plan.

“Columbia Wind will have more production capacity than any other wind facility in the state of Wisconsin, yet it will have fewer turbines in operation,” said Ben Lipari, Vice President of Commercial Operations for Alliant Energy.

Economic Impact

According to the documents provided by the project, the wind farm would be able to meet the electricity demand of around 100,000 homes once the project becomes fully operational. Apart from providing electricity to the community, the Columbia Wind project would also be beneficial to the local government in terms of fiscal benefits. The company estimates that the tax revenue to be generated by the project would be over $100 million to Columbia County, and the construction process would create between 100 and 150 temporary jobs.

Alliant Energy has awarded the turbine supply contract to Nordex. The company recently restarted production at a plant in Iowa, so that the larger components can be assembled in the Midwest.

A decision on the proposal by the Public Service Commission is expected to be made early next year, 2027, but if approved, Alliant Energy has already set a schedule to construct the plant, expecting to be up and running by the end of 2028. The plant would be part of the 1,800 megawatt wind energy that the company already has in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.

Onshore wind capacity in the Midwest

While Columbia Wind reflects continued growth in onshore wind capacity in the Midwest, the broader U.S. wind sector has navigated regulatory barriers in recent months. The Trump administration in late 2025 issued suspension orders targeting several offshore wind developments, citing national security and permitting concerns. The actions stalled construction timelines and injected uncertainty into long-term planning for coastal projects.

The offshore segment has since seen a partial reversal. In January 2026, a federal court granted a preliminary injunction lifting the suspension on the Revolution Wind project off the Northeast coast, ruling the government had not provided adequate justification to halt work already underway. The decision allows construction to resume while litigation continues, restoring some momentum to offshore development and underscoring the extent to which federal policy shifts and legal rulings are influencing progress across both onshore and offshore wind initiatives.

Columbia Wind Project Factsheet

Project Overview

Project Name: Columbia Wind

Developer: Alliant Energy

Location: Columbia County, Wisconsin

Capacity: 277 megawatts (MW)

Status: Application filed with Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC)

Project Specifications

Number of Turbines: More than 40

Turbine Manufacturer: Nordex

Development Timeline: Nearly 5 years

Expected Operational Date: End of 2028 (pending PSC approval)

Annual Energy Production: Enough to power approximately 100,000 Wisconsin homes

Key Features

Highest production capability of any Wisconsin wind site

Significantly fewer turbines compared to similar capacity projects

Utilizes best practices for minimizing landowner and community impacts

Part of Alliant Energy’s Energy Blueprint strategy for balanced energy mix

Economic Impact

Landowner Partnerships: Over 300 landowners with voluntary lease agreements

Tax Revenue: Estimated $100+ million for Columbia County

Construction Jobs: Approximately 100-150 temporary positions

Local Benefits: Diversified income opportunities and strengthened local economy

Strategic Importance

Strengthens grid reliability for customers

Adds new renewable capacity to the regional grid

Reinforces Alliant Energy’s position as a top-five regulated utility owner/operator of wind generation in the U.S.

Complements existing portfolio of 1,800 MW wind capacity across Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota

Project Timeline

PSC Application Filed: 2026

Expected PSC Decision: Early 2027

Projected Commercial Operation: Late 2028