Alliant to add $1 billion in wind energy
Alliant Energy’s plan to add up to 500 megawatts of wind energy is a large play that will help keep Iowa’s electricity rates low, a key authority on clean energy said.
“Wind energy is now the lowest-cost source of new generation,” Nathaniel Baer, who follows energy issue for the Iowa Environmental Council, said in an interview. “That helps keep things stable and keeps rates low.”
“With both major utilities pursuing significant new wind generation, we have diverse wind energy that supports 6,000 jobs and 75 businesses in the supply chain,” Baer added.
The $1 billion addition to the Whispering Willow Wind development in Franklin County also will be one of the first beneficiaries of new clean-energy transmission lines in that area.
The five-year project to expand the Whispering Willow Wind development in Franklin County will mean 1,500 construction jobs.
“Alliant hasn’t had a new wind project for a few years, so this is significant,” Baer said.
The announcement Wednesday came as MidAmerican Energy continues preparations for a 2,000-megawatt, $3.6 billion expansion of its already large wind energy holdings.
Alliant over the years bought much of its renewable energy from other utilities, but now is expanding its own infrastructure.
“Our customers expect low-cost, clean energy, which is exactly what this project will bring to the communities we serve,” said Doug Kopp, president of Alliant Energy’s Iowa utility. “Wind has no fuel costs and zero emissions.”
The company is seeking approval now to maximize the value of renewable energy tax credits to benefit our customers. Alliant is asking for a 11.5 percent return on investment.
Alliant’s carbon dioxide emissions are expected to drop 40 percent between 2005 and 2030 after a series of renewable energy projects.
Baer said Alliant’s project will put a key goal — 10,000 megawatts of wind power in Iowa by 2020 — within reach. “That is significant for Iowa, the region, and the nation in meeting clean energy goals,” he said.
Alliant is making the move now to take advantage of federal tax credits.
At the end of 2015, Iowa had 6,212 megawatts of installed wind power, accounting for 31.3 percent of Iowa’s electricity mix — more than any other state in the country according to the American Wind Energy Association.
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