Alliant Energy Takes Over 170MW Wind Farm in IA

By Anca Gagiuc

Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company, Interstate Power and Light Co., finalized an agreement with developer Tradewind Energy to acquire the 170-megawatt English Farms Wind Farm located in Poweshiek County in central Iowa. The construction of the wind facility will begin in 2018.

Alliant Energy got clearance in 2016 to add up to 500 megawatts of wind energy in Iowa. This year, the company requested a similar wind expansion from the Iowa Utilities Board. Combined, these projects represent a $1.8 billion investment and add up to 1,000 megawatts of new wind generation in Iowa. The projects will generate sufficient clean energy to power up to 430,000 Iowa homes per year.

Wind Power

The English Farms Wind Farm facility will consist of 69 turbines spread across 15,000 acres and will have an annual energy output sufficient to power 50,000 homes. The landowners (more than 100) will receive approximately $12 million throughout the 30-year contract, while the local tax benefits will add up to about $47 million in the next 30 years. Moreover, the project will offset approximately 430,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

“Wind energy is a win for Iowans,” Doug Kopp, president of Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company, said in prepared remarks. “The benefits of this project help customers through reductions in emissions and fuel cost. It gives landowners lease payments to help on the farm and it helps communities through increased local tax revenue for schools and community services.”