MidAmerican announces $3.6 billion wind turbine project

DES MOINES, Iowa —MidAmerican Energy announced Thursday it is planning a new renewable energy project to move the company toward a 100 percent renewable energy goal for customers in the state. MidAmerican is requesting approval from the Iowa Utilities Board to build the project, called Wind XI. The project is expected to add up to 2,000 megawatts of wind power generation in Iowa by adding about 1,000 new wind turbines. The proposed project is being done without an increase in customer rates or financial assistance from the state, officials said. "We have a bold vision for our energy future," said Bill Fehrman, CEO and president of MidAmerican Energy. "We don’t know of another U.S. energy provider that has staked out this 100 percent position. Our customers want more renewable energy, and we couldn’t agree more. Once the project is complete, we will generate wind energy equal to 85 percent of our annual customer sales in Iowa, bringing us within striking distance of our 100 percent renewable vision." "Wind XI puts Iowa on track to be the first state in the nation to generate more than 40 percent of its energy needs from wind power -- far ahead of any other state. Today, Iowa is the only state to have crossed the 30 percent mark," Branstad said. Iowa Economic Development Director Debbie Durham said the wind industry supports as many as 7,000 jobs in Iowa. Fehrman said the Wind XI project will generate about $12.5 million per year in property tax payments, $18 million per year in landowner payments, and $48 million per year in state and local expenditures associated with the project. MidAmerican didn't release where the new turbines would be erected but says the utility will finalize locations while the Iowa Utilities Board considers the project.