The Weston Power Plant site, near Wausau, in central Wisconsin, is home to three fossil-fueled electric generating units that make electricity for WPS customers. Weston 4, the newest unit, is a state-of-the-art, 595-megawatt electric generator that uses clean coal technologies — making it one of the cleanest power plants of its kind in the country. Weston 4 began operating on June 30, 2008. WPS owns 70% (416.5 MW) and Dairyland Power Cooperative of La Crosse, WI owns 30% (178.5 MW). Weston Unit 3 began operating in 1981, Unit 2 in 1960 and Unit 1 in 1954. Unit 1 was retired in 2015. Unit 2, W-31 and W-32 were retired in 2023.
Learn about our Weston 3 ReACT emission control project
An award-winning plant
WPS earned high marks for building Weston 4 with quality, excellence in design, efficiency and features to minimize environmental impact.
- 2012 ISA Best Facility Award. The International Society of Automation (ISA) Electric Power Division named Weston 4 as their "2012 Best Facility." The award recognizes the power plant for its innovative use of digital control systems and optimization software. The ISA Power Division began in 1957 and has a current global membership of 2,400 members.
- Power Magazine's 2008 Power Plant of the Year. Weston 4 was named "Power Plant of the Year" by Power Magazine. Power Magazine is a leading energy industry publication. The award recognizes a power plant that leads the industry by using advanced technology, being efficient and minimizing environmental impact.
- Power Engineering magazine's 2008 Best Coal-Fired Project of the Year. Power Engineering magazine recognizes projects that set quality standards in the worldwide energy industry.
- Finalist for Platts Energy Construction Project of the Year. Weston 4 was a finalist for the 2008 Platts Global Energy Awards in the category of "Construction Project of the Year."
| Weston Power Plant |
Units |
First year of ownership |
Fuel |
Total MW |
Weston
Rothschild, WI |
3
4* |
1981
2008 |
Coal
Coal |
350.5
416.5 |
| Total WPS Weston capacity (nameplate rating) = 767 MW |
* 70% WPS jointly owned with Dairyland Power Cooperative, La Crosse, WI (30%)
The United States Environmental Protection Agency finalized national regulations to provide a comprehensive set of requirements for the safe disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCRs), commonly known as coal ash, from coal-fired power plants. View our CCR rule compliance data and information.
