MidAmerican Energy Adds Two New Wind Farms in Iowa, Expands Capacity

The Beaver Creek wind farm in Boone and Greene counties and Prairie wind farm in Mahaska County are now in operation. Construction started in the spring of 2017, following approval by the Iowa Utilities Board in 2016. Part of its Wind XI project, the two newest wind farms add 169 wind turbines to the more than 2,000 owned and operated by MidAmerican Energy, the No. 1 owner of wind-powered generation among U.S. rate-regulated energy providers.

“We’re committed to providing reliable service and outstanding value to our customers, and wind energy accomplishes both,” said Mike Fehr, vice president of resource development at MidAmerican Energy. “Wind energy is good for our customers, and it’s an abundant, renewable resource that also energizes the economy.”

Committed to renewable energy

As part of its 100% renewable energy vision, MidAmerican Energy anticipates that renewable generation will equate to more than 90% of its customers’ annual retail electricity usage by 2020.

The 170-megawatt Beaver Creek wind farm went into service in the fall of 2017. The 168-megawatt Prairie wind farm also began generating electricity in the fall of 2017, with the final four megawatts put into service in January of 2018.

A measure of power, a megawatt represents one million watts of electricity, or 1,000 kilowatts. The Beaver Creek and Prairie wind farms produce enough electricity to meet the average, annual usage of more than 140,000 Iowa homes.

Wind energy helps power Iowa's economy

In 2017, MidAmerican Energy paid $19.6 million in property tax payments related to wind energy and nearly $16 million in landowner lease payments. The two new Iowa wind farms are projected to add a total of $62.4 million in property tax revenue over the next 20 years.