DES MOINES, Iowa – (Jan. 6, 2012) – Today, MidAmerican Energy Company announced the development of new wind projects in Iowa, totaling 407.1 megawatts. The projects further solidify MidAmerican Energy’s ranking as the No. 1 rate-regulated utility in the U.S. in terms of ownership of wind-powered capacity.
“Wind is a viable renewable energy resource that enhances our energy portfolio, providing additional generation at a reasonable cost for our customers,” said Bill Fehrman, president and CEO of MidAmerican Energy. “These projects also fulfill our commitment to Iowa regulators and our customers. In 2009, MidAmerican Energy received approval from the Iowa Utilities Board to add up to 1,001 megawatts of wind-powered generation prior to 2013, and I’m proud to say we have agreements in place to fulfill that commitment.”
MidAmerican Energy recently reached an agreement with RPM Access for the acquisition of the 103.5-megawatt Vienna wind project, which will be located in Marshall and Tama counties. MidAmerican Energy also signed agreements with Clipper Windpower Development Company for the acquisition of both the 200.1-megawatt Eclipse wind project, located in Guthrie and Audubon counties, and the 101.2-megawatt Morning Light wind project, located in Adair County. The three projects, totaling 176 wind turbines, will be complete by year-end 2012.
An additional 2.3-megawatt wind turbine also will be added to the Rolling Hills wind project in 2012.
In December 2010, MidAmerican Energy announced it would add 593.4 megawatts of new wind-powered generation in Iowa. The projects included the 443.9-megawatt Rolling Hills wind project, located in Adair, Adams and Cass counties; the 119.6-megawatt Laurel wind project, located in Marshall County; and the 29.9-megawatt Pomeroy wind expansion project, located in Pocahontas and Calhoun counties. The final portion of the 593.4-megawatt expansion project was placed in-service by year-end 2011.
MidAmerican Energy’s other owned wind projects are located in Buena Vista, Carroll, Crawford, Floyd, Hamilton, Polk, Pottawattamie, Sac and Wright counties, totaling 1,284.3 megawatts of wind generation.
When the 2012 wind projects are complete, MidAmerican Energy will own 2,284.8 megawatts of wind generation, with approximately 29 percent of its total generation capacity powered by wind.
MidAmerican Energy began building wind energy projects in 2004. When the 2012 wind projects are complete, the company will have invested approximately $4 billion in wind-powered generation projects in Iowa.
