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Whether it is the sun, wind or waves, every region is blessed with renewable resources waiting to be harnessed for power. Recognizing the renewable resources of their landscape, two Midwest utilities recently announced wind-power plans.
In April, MidAmerican Energy Co. announced a major project to provide clean energy to Iowa. The utility is filing a request with the Iowa Utilities Board to build Wind XI, a project that will add up to 2,000 megawatts (MW) of wind generation in the state. The company said the proposed $3.6 billion wind project is the largest it has ever undertaken and that it will be done without a rate increase or state financial assistance.
The company has a vision of 100 percent renewable energy for Iowa customers, and electricity from Wind XI will bring MidAmerican’s total generation from renewables to about 85 percent, well within reach of the ultimate goal.
Wind XI will not just be a bragging point for the utility. It will also be the largest economic development project in Iowa’s history. According to Gov. Terry Branstad, the state currently gets about 30 percent of its electricity from wind power.
Just to the south, wind power is also being placed in Missouri. In April, Kansas City Power and Light (KCP&L) announced plans to increase its sustainability portfolio with the purchase of an additional 500 MW of power from two new wind facilities in its service region. The purchase represents enough energy to power up to 170,000 homes.
The two projects are located in Osborn, Mo., and Rock Creek, Mo. The former is a 200-MW wind farm that is being constructed by NextEra Energy Resources. It is expected to reach commercial operation by the end of 2016. In Rock Creek, Tradewind Energy is building a 300-MW wind farm, which is expected to come online by September 2017. Both projects will connect directly to the Midwest Transmission Project transmission line, allowing for easier delivery of the electricity within the region.
The KCP&L said both projects also qualify for the federal production tax credit, which allows the utility to keep rates lower than would otherwise be possible.
About The Author
LAEZMAN is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer who has been covering renewable power for more than 10 years. He may be reached at [email protected].
