Iowa Approves New $3.6 Billion Energy Plan

For the past 12 years, Iowa and MidAmerican Energy have worked to achieve their goal of 100% renewable energy across the state. Now, the largest wind energy project in the history of Iowa is underway – this revolutionary project, which will begin in 2017, is called Wind XI.     “Renewable energy is going to be good for our customers,  the environment, Iowa communities and our economy,” Ashton Hockman, MidAmerican Energy representative, said.  Wind XI, MidAmerican Energy’s eleventh wind project, was initially approved in August 2016. Wind XI will cost $3.6 billion and will feature the construction of approximately 1,000 wind turbines around the state of Iowa. This adds up to 2,000 megawatts of wind generation – enough energy to power 800,000 homes. The wind sites will be placed into service over a three-year period, finishing in 2019. Once the project is complete, MidAmerican Energy hopes to generate energy equal to 85 percent of their annual consumer sales. “This will put us in striking distance of our vision,” Hockman said. “We will continue to evaluate opportunities to secure the remaining 15 percent needed to realize our 100 percent renewable vision.”