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.
Electric system overview
Small increases expected in population and employment – Population in Zone 1 is projected to grow at 0.2 percent annually between now and 2028. Employment is projected to grow at 0.6 percent annually between now and 2028. Marathon County is projected to realize the largest total increase in population and employment, while Juneau and Portage Counties are projected to have the highest growth rates in population and employment, respectively.
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 0.4 percent annually through 2029.
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 | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Rose–Harrison 69‑kV line (Y‑19) partial rebuild | 1 | 2020 | Condition and performance |
| Chaffee Creek SS–Lincoln Pump Station 69‑kV line (Y‑18), rebuild | 2 | 2023 | Condition and performance |
| Wautoma–Chaffee Creek 69‑kV line (Y‑49), rebuild | 3 | 2023 | Condition and performance |
| McKenna–Castle Rock 69-kV line (Y-47), rebuild | 4 | 2025 | Condition and performance |
Zone 1 Proposed Projects
| Project Description | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waupaca area energy storage project | 5 | 2021 | Operational flexibility |
| Petenwell–Saratoga 138-kV line (X-43), rebuild | 6 | 2022 | Reliability and economic |
Zone 1 Provisional Projects
| Project Description | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|
| None |