Northeast Wisconsin
Zone 4
Transmission system characteristics in Zone 4
ATC delivers power in Zone 4 with various transmission facilities including:
-
four 345-kV lines extending from the Point Beach Nuclear Plant,
-
two 345-kV lines extending from the Edgewater Power Plant to South Fond du Lac and Cedarsauk,
- two additional 345-kV lines connecting the South Fond du Lac Power Plant to Columbia and Fitzgerald,
-
four 345-kV lines connecting the Gardner Park, Werner West, Morgan and Plains Substations,
- four 345-kV lines from North Appleton to Kewaunee, Fox River, Werner West and Fitzgerald and
-
a 138-kV network throughout the zone.
Transmission system limitations in Zone 4
In our analysis of Zone 4, we continue to monitor potential high voltages in Outagamie and Calumet counties and impending low voltages in Brown County. In addition, other ongoing studies have identified several voltage and thermal limitations. The most severe limitations occur during both peak and off‑peak periods.
Electric system overview
Increases expected in population, employment Population in Zone 4 is projected to grow at 0.7 percent annually between now and 2025. Employment is projected to grow at 1.1 percent annually between now and 2025. Brown County is projected to realize the largest increase in population and employment, while Calumet County is projected to have the highest growth rate in population and employment.
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 0.5 percent annually through 2026. 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 projects and asset-renewal projects in Zone 4, along with their projected year of completion and the factors driving the need for the projects, are listed below.
Zone 4 includes the counties of:
- Brown , WI
- Calumet , WI
- Dodge (NE) , WI
- Door , WI
- Fond Du Lac (E) , WI
- Kewaunee , WI
- Manitowoc , WI
- Marinette (S) , WI
- Menominee (S) , MI
- Menominee , WI
- Oconto , WI
- Outagamie , WI
- Shawano (E) , WI
- Sheboygan , WI
- Winnebago (E) , WI
Zone 4 Planned Projects
| Project Description | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|
| Pulliam - Glory Road 138-kV line conversion | 2016 | Overloads and low voltages |
| Creekview Substation: 138-kV line construction to serve T‑D interconnection | 2017 | T‑D interconnection |
| Bay Lake: North Appleton-Morgan 345‑kV and 138‑kV line construction | 2018 | Overloads and low voltages |
| Branch River 345‑kV Substation construction | 2018 | Accommodate new generation |
| Cedar Ridge Wind Generation - Mullet River 138-kV line rebuild | 2019 | Condition and performance |
| Finger Road - Canal 69-kV line rebuild | 2021 | Condition and performance |
Zone 4 Proposed Projects
| Project Description | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|
| Ogden St.-Bayshore 69-kV line construction | 2018 | Provide network service |
Zone 4 Provisional Projects
| Project Description | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan - Thunder 138‑kV project | 2023 | Overloads and low voltage |
| Morgan - Plains 345‑kV loop into new Thunder 345‑kV Substation | 2023 | Overloads and low voltage |
| Aviation – North Fond du Lac 138-kV line rebuild | 2025 | Overloads |
| Shoto - Custer 138-kV line | 2026 | Overloads and low voltage |