MidAmerican Energy becomes first US utility to go 100% renewable

MidAmerican Energy has announced new investment in a wind farm that will mean it can generate enough renewable energy to meet 100 percent of customer demand.

The fresh investment of $922 million will go towards a new 591 megawatt (MW) wind farm in Iowa, called Wind XII. The project still requires approval from the regulator, but is expected to be built by late 2020.

The project means MidAmerican will become the first US investor-owned energy utility to reach the 100 percent renewable mark.

“Wind XII will transform our 100 percent renewable energy vision from a bold dream into a reality,” said Adam Wright, MidAmerican Energy’s President and CEO. “…Wind XII is a clear demonstration of our commitment to and investment in the cleaner, more sustainable energy future our customers want and our environment deserves.”

The company has an estimated 1.5 million customers across Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. Its longstanding commitment to renewable energy dates back to 2004, and it has already invested $3.6 billion in wind energy out to 2019.

Despite this latest milestone, the company remains a heavy investor in fossil fuels with 45 percent of its capacity coming from coal and natural gas.

Iowa’s Governor Kim Reynolds, who spoke at a press conference to break the news, applauded MidAmerican for its forward-looking approach “to provide sustainable and affordable energy to its customers”.

“Iowans are used to leading the way,” she said.

“We believe to our core that it is our responsibility to use the resources we are given in the best way possible. It’s that sustainable approach that has led Iowa to achieve the highest percentage of power generation coming from wind energy, more than any other state.”

The state is a national leader in clean energy and one of only four states which generate over 30 percent of their electricity from wind turbines.