wiredInUSA October 2016

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wiredInUSA - October 2016 21
MidAmerican Energy is finalizing its plans
to begin construction of a 2,000MW wind
farm in Iowa.
The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) has given
consent for the $3.6 billion Wind XI wind
farm, which will comprise 1,000 wind
turbines across multiple sites in Iowa.
The wind farm will be developed in three
phases, with completion of the entire
wind farm expected in 2019. The project
is a key part of the firm’s vision to meet
all of its customers’ electricity needs with
renewable energy.
“Wind energy helps us keep prices stable
and more affordable for customers,
provides jobs and economic benefits
for communities and the state, and
contributes to a cleaner environment for
everyone,” said Bill Fehrman, president
and CEO of MidAmerican Energy. The
company has yet to finalize the locations
of the wind turbines.
The first of the Wind XI wind turbines will
come into service in 2017. When Wind
XI is completed, MidAmerican’s annual
renewable energy generation is expected
to reach a level that is equivalent
to approximately 85 percent of the
company’s Iowa retail customers’ annual
use.
Wind to spread
across Iowa
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