Energy -> Wind Energy

Large-scale and utility-scale turbine installations

Large-scale wind farms are cultivating rural economic development in Iowa. Six major wind farms in northwest and north-central Iowa - with total nameplate capacity of more than 616 MW - are producing electricity for Iowans. Additional large-scale projects are in planning and development phases.

The creation of a large-scale wind farm begins as wind developers study and choose locations for turbines with the strongest wind resources. Farmers lease their land to developers, usually taking only a quarter acre of land out of production for each turbine. Developers find buyers, usually utility companies, for the electricity produced by the wind farm.

Wind production is the latest addition to the electricity mix at a growing number of public power systems. Wind energy allows small utilities to avoid fossil fuel price fluctuations and diversify with environmentally friendly energy sources. Four Iowa municipal utilities currently own their own wind turbines, one rural electric cooperative owns two turbines, and a group of seven Iowa municipal utilities own and operate a small three-turbine wind farm.

Resources

• Midwest Regional Wind Yellow Pages (*.pdf file)
• Top Of Iowa Wind Farm Technical Case Study
• Analysis of Delivering Wind Energy to High Load Centers in the Midwest
  • Main document (*.pdf file)
  • Appendix 1 First Half (*.pdf file)
  • Appendix 1 Second Half (*.pdf file)
  • Appendix 2 (*.pdf file)
  • Appendix 3 (*.pdf file)

Additional Resources

DNR Contact
Lee Vannoy
(515)281-6559
lee.vannoy@dnr.state.ia.us