The 2010 AWEA Industry Report released during the 2011 WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition of American Wind Energy Associations (AWEA) indicates that the state of Iowa generates around 15% of its power requirement from wind energy sources.
Its wind energy power production level is expected to reach 20% level in latter part of 2011 when MidAmerican Energy, a Des Moines-based company completes its expansion program.
The state with its current level of growth is anticipated to generate 50% of its total power production from wind energy sources by the year 2030. Reaching that level, will allow the state to trade 30% of its wind generated electric power to other states. The state currently ranks second in wind power output with 3,675 MW generated from 2,534 wind turbines erected all over the state. Iowa has invested around $7.5 million exclusively into the transportation sectors such as rail and barge facilities to assist transportation of wind turbines and other materials.
Iowa is a centrally located state, which features places having rich wind energy resources. Also the proposal to install four transmission lines in the region will enable the state to distribute its generated wind power into other regional power distribution systems easily. The state also houses a number of wind energy companies such as Clipper Windpower, Siemens, TPI Composites, Acciona Windpower and Trinity Towers. Seven of the community colleges in the state have associated with three regent universities of the state to provide an all inclusive wind energy training programs.