Wind power in Iowa

As of 2022, Iowa has over 12,200 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity with over 6,000 wind turbines, ranking second and third in the nation below Texas respectively.

[4] Former governor Terry Branstad stated that by 2020 the percentage of wind generated electricity in Iowa could reach 40 percent.

This goal has been exceeded, with over 40 percent of Iowa's electricity being generated from the wind as of October 2019 according to the Energy Information Administration, a first in the nation accomplishment.

[5] In addition to federal programs, the state of Iowa encourages development of renewable electricity sources through a 1 cent per kilowatt hour tax credit.

[11] Some of the wind power generated electricity is sold to utility companies in nearby states, such as Wisconsin,[12] and Illinois.

[24][25] According to the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, lack of transmission line capacity is beginning to restrict further growth of wind farms in the state.

The North English Wind farm in Poweshiek County will consist of 170 2.0 MW Vestas turbines.

[35] A new transmission line is being built to transmit some of the power from the Highland project to the Spencer and Iowa Great Lakes area.

Additionally, power will be transmitted by an existing 345 kilovolt line running from south of Sioux City to Lakefield, Minnesota.

[36] A number of companies involved in the wind power industry have offices or manufacturing facilities in Iowa.

[39] In late September 2007, Siemens Power Generation opened its new wind turbine blade factory in Fort Madison, on the banks of the Mississippi River.

The office seeks to coordinate efforts between industry, community leaders, state and local government, and educational institutions to achieve energy policy goals.