Interstate Power and Light Co. (IPL), a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corp., has acquired a wind development site from Wind Capital Group.
The site, located in Franklin County, near Hampton, Iowa, has the potential to produce up to 200 MW of wind power. The acquisition represents IPL's first company-owned wind generation site.
According to IPL, it expects to invest approximately $360 million to $440 million by 2010. The company continues to explore various sites across its Iowa and Minnesota service areas for wind development opportunities and expects to begin construction on the first 100 MW of wind generation in 2009.
IPL is currently in negotiations with several wind turbine manufacturers to support the company's wind generation initiatives. The company expects to finalize a purchase agreement with the selected turbine manufacturer in the first half of 2008.
‘Iowa now ranks third in the nation in wind energy production,’ says Gov. Chet Culver, D- Iowa. ‘When combined with our leadership in ethanol and biodiesel production, Iowa is the nation's undisputed renewable energy leader. With IPL's announcement, we further cement our position and demonstrate once again Iowa's commitment to renewable energy and to jobs in this growth industry.’
