Wind

1.05-GW Iowa Wind Expansion Moves Forward

MidAmerican Energy Co. is already the top ranked, rate-regulated utility owner of wind generation in the U.S. and with 448 new wind turbines being added in Iowa—the largest wind expansion in the state’s history—its hold on that position will be further strengthened.

In November, the company announced it had reached an agreement with Highland Wind Energy LLC for the acquisition of the 500-MW Highland wind project site in O’Brien County. Agreements were also reached with EDF Renewable Energy for the acquisition of the 250-MW Lundgren wind project site in Webster County and with RPM Access LLC for the acquisitions of two projects—the 138.6-MW Wellsburg wind project site in Grundy County and the 117-MW Macksburg wind project site in Madison County. In addition, it was announced that MidAmerican would expand its existing Vienna II wind project in Marshall County, constructed in 2012, by 44.6 MW.

Siemens will supply the wind turbines for all five projects. The turbines will utilize the company’s 2.3-MW G2 platform technology. The purchase is the largest single order for onshore wind power awarded globally to date. All of the blades for the expansion will be manufactured at Siemens’ Fort Madison, Iowa, facility, while the nacelles will be manufactured at Siemens’ Hutchinson, Kan., facility. The contract includes a service, maintenance, and warranty agreement.



1. Wind turbine blade ready for delivery from Fort Madison, Iowa. Courtesy: Siemens AG

“Siemens not only leads the way for offshore wind power worldwide, we are also a very successful player in the onshore wind industry. In Europe and Africa alone, we successfully installed more than 1 GW in the last fiscal year. This new order from MidAmerican Energy once again highlights that we are one of the leading suppliers in the U.S. wind power market,” said Markus Tacke, CEO of the Wind Power Division of Siemens Energy.

Iowa is one of the leading U.S. states in wind energy generation. In 2012, approximately 24% of total generation in the state was provided by wind power. MidAmerican, for its part, already has 1,267 wind turbines in Iowa. When the projects are complete—scheduled by year-end 2015—approximately 39% of MidAmerican Energy’s generation portfolio will come from wind resources associated with its 1,715 wind turbines.

The wind expansion will provide more than $3 million in landowner payments each year and more than $360 million in additional property tax revenues over the next 30 years. The expansion will be constructed at no net cost to the company’s customers and will help stabilize electric rates over the long term. Approximately 1,000 construction jobs will be added to Iowa’s economy during the two-year construction period and approximately 40 new permanent jobs will be added when the expansion is complete.



2. Wind farm utilizing Siemens SWT-2.3-108 wind turbines. Courtesy: Siemens AG

“We look forward to continuing positive relationships with state and county officials as well as landowners and other local residents during the construction and operation of the new wind farms,” said Bill Fehrman, president and CEO, MidAmerican Energy. “Not only will the projects bring jobs and other economic development to the state, they will enhance MidAmerican Energy’s renewable energy portfolio—making additional affordable, environmentally responsible energy to benefit our customers.”

—Aaron Larson, associate editor (@AaronL_Power, @POWERmagazine)

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