Alliant Energy Is Focused on the Future
The public holding utility company has helped enhance economic growth in the area.
Sponsored by: Alliant Energy
A company is only as strong as the communities it serves. That’s the strategic thinking at Alliant Energy, a public utility holding company headquartered in Madison, when it comes to providing customers with safe and reliable power in Wisconsin.
“Guided by our purpose of serving customers and building stronger communities, we are committed to working hand in hand with communities to retain current businesses and attract new companies,” says John Larsen, chair, president and CEO of Alliant Energy. “Our partnerships with the 400-plus communities we serve in Wisconsin help bring economic development projects to life.”
For instance, Alliant Energy has successfully assisted in major expansions and the recruitment of new companies throughout Wisconsin. In 2021, the company completed 21 projects totaling nearly $975 million in capital expenditures, resulting in almost 3,000 new jobs.
As businesses adapt and grow in this changing economy, Alliant Energy has invested in new infrastructure to deliver more cost-effective, reliable service that meets current and future needs.
Alliant Energy is poised to become the largest owner and operator of solar in Wisconsin with plans to add nearly 1,100 megawatts of solar in the state by the end of 2023. This transition to clean, renewable energy, combined with the company’s plans to eliminate all coal from its generation fleet in Wisconsin by 2025, has moved the company closer to its goal of achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 for the electricity it generates.
While delivering on its bold vision to promote sustainability, the company remains focused on building a smarter and more resilient energy network. It plans to construct Wisconsin’s first community-scale microgrid and double its energy storage capacity by the end of 2022. These customer-focused projects are driven by the company’s commitment to improve energy reliability and enhance the economic health and sustainability of local communities.
None of this work is done in a vacuum. Alliant Energy has a strong history of collaborating with regional partners and economic development associations to identify growth opportunities, support business expansions and recruit new companies to the Madison area. The utility has earned numerous awards for its economic development efforts. Company leaders say it’s a team effort. They are optimistic about the future of the area.
“It really starts with local economic development and strong regional partnerships,” says Coleman Peiffer, Alliant Energy’s senior business attraction manager for Wisconsin. “We’ve been successful in leveraging the strengths of the communities we serve by building new relationships and demonstrating our responsiveness to customers. With a strong workforce and fast-growing business sector, the greater Madison region is uniquely positioned to enable endless possibilities.”
