Northwest Iowa — MidAmerican Energy, the electric utility that built what was, at the time, the largest wind farm in Iowa, right here in O’Brien County, is seeking regulatory approval for its 12th major wind turbine project in Iowa.
Adam Wright, MidAmerican’s president and C-E-O, says once the project is done, the company’s Iowa customers will have access to 100 percent renewable energy for their electricity.
The company’s 11th wind turbine project is currently underway. MidAmerican is calling this next project “Wind 12” and the new turbines will be erected at up to four sites around the state of Iowa.
There are “lasting benefits” to harnessing wind power to provide electricity, according to Wright.
Governor Kim Reynolds says energy intensive businesses like manufacturers and tech companies need low energy rates to be successful and this project “launches Iowa to the top of the charts.”
Iowa Association of Business and Industry president and C-E-O Mike Ralston says MidAmerican’s focus on wind power balances the need to provide reliable electric service to its customers with environmental accountability.
Last year, about half of the electricity MidAmerican Energy generated came from wind turbines, including the ones at the wind farm here in O’Brien County. Once the company’s 12th wind project is completed, MidAmerican will have invested more than 12-billion dollars in wind energy generation and secured about 12-billion dollars worth of government tax credits for wind production.
