Des Moines, Iowa, — According to both a state and national wind energy association, thousands of jobs could be created in the Iowa wind industry in the next few years.
Over 17,000 wind-related jobs and over $9 billion in additional economic activity are possible by 2020 according to recent Navigant Consulting analysis, say the Iowa Wind Energy Association (IWEA) and the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt Governor Kim Reynolds are calling on Iowa officials to continue policies growing wind energy in Iowa.
Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA says that Branstad knows wind works for Iowa and it’s largely thanks to him that over 17,000 wind-related jobs in Iowa are possible in just a few years. He says wind does not just provide well-paying jobs either, he says many Iowans also know wind farms are what he calls “the new drought-resistant cash crop in Iowa,” paying up to $20 million a year to Iowa farmers. Wind is responsible for more than 36 percent of Iowa’s electricity generation, and with recent project announcements, Kiernan says the state will push past 40 percent in the coming years. He says they’re going to work with elected officials in Iowa to make sure that happens.
Wind-related jobs can reach 11,500 jobs at wind companies and in the supply chain by 2020, according to Navigant. When considering jobs added in the communities surrounding wind farms and factories, this rises to 17,300 jobs. Compared to other states, Iowa is projected to contain the third most wind-related jobs in 2020, trailing only Texas and Colorado.
Wind energy supplies 5.5 percent of U.S electricity today and is on track to supply 10 percent of U.S electricity by 2020. Nationally, Navigant Consulting projects with that additional wind growth, there can be 248,000 wind-related jobs by 2020.
