In February, the Marshfield Rotary Club welcomed Ben Tanko, Senior Renewable Development Specialist at Alliant Energy, to discuss the future of local energy: the Hub City Wind Farm. As a top-five regulated wind owner-operator in the U.S., Alliant Energy is a powerhouse in the transition to clean energy. Serving over 1 million electric and 430,000 gas customers, the company achieved a major milestone in 2024 with 44% of its energy coming from renewable sources. While Alliant already operates two wind farms, 12 solar projects, and several battery and hydro facilities across Wisconsin, the Hub City project represents their next major step forward.
The vision for the Hub City Wind Farm includes a 20,000-acre footprint spanning the towns of Brighton, Eau Pleine, McMillan, Day, Cleveland, and Green Valley. The farm will feature 28 to 38 high-efficiency turbines utilizing the latest Vestas V150 technology. These modern units stand 591 feet tall with 260-foot blades and produce 4.5MW each—which is two and a half times more energy production than older, smaller models. Altogether, the wind farm targets an annual production of approximately 150 Megawatts.
Beyond the energy grid, the project is designed to provide a significant economic boost to our community. The wind farm will generate $750,000 in annual shared revenue for the county and local municipalities throughout the life of the project. Furthermore, the impact on local families is substantial, with $60 million in landowner payments projected over the first 30 years and a total of $170 million expected over a 60-year span.
Looking ahead, Alliant Energy is entering a rigorous phase of surveys and leasing discussions. Over the coming year, the team will conduct environmental studies regarding wetland delineation and archaeology, alongside monitoring for bats, avian activity, and endangered species. They will also perform ambient sound studies and geotechnical surveys before submitting a formal regulatory permit application. If these studies and certifications proceed as planned, construction is expected to begin in 2028, with commercial operations starting in 2029.
If you have questions or would like to learn more, the team has a local office at 201650 HWY 97 in Marshfield. You can also reach out to Ben Tanko, Monica Mims, or David Falkosky by calling 715-443-5026 or emailing info@hubcitywind.com. For regular updates, be sure to follow their progress on the Hub City Wind Farm Facebook page.