MidAmerican Energy Company has filed a request with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to build the $3.6bn Wind XI, which would be the largest wind generation project that the company has ever undertaken.
The company will scout for final locations for its Wind XI development while the IUB considers the project filing request. Wind XI is expected to add up to 2,000MW of wind power capacity in Iowa.
The project will generate approximately $12.5m per year in property tax payments, $18m per year in landowner payments, and $48m per year in state and local expenditures associated with the project.
The company has requested IUB to sanction its rate-making principles by September 2016 so it can take full advantage of the extended production tax credit available for the construction of new wind projects.
MidAmerican Energy CEO and president Bill Fehrman said: “Once the project is complete, we will generate wind energy equal to 85% of our annual customer sales in Iowa, bringing us within striking distance of our 100% renewable vision.”
