Big Wind Power Facility Planned in Franklin County

By Dave Franzman, Reoprter

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Dec 7, 2007 at 6:16 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 7, 2007 at 6:16 PM CST

DES MOINES - Alliant's Interstate Power and Light division plans to build one of the state's biggest wind power facilities.

Up to 130 wind generators will go up west of Hampton in Franklin County. They'll produce enough wind power to provide electricity for 50,000 homes.

Governor Chet Culver called Friday's wind farm announcement just one more sign Iowa is leading the nation in the renewable energy race.

With companies like Clipper Wind Power in production, and more wind energy manufacturers on the way, Iowa will soon produce every major part of a wind generating system. Only Texas now has companies making towers, blades and turbines.

Iowa may be pulling ahead of the wind power competition.

This wind farm announcement is just the latest in a series of renewable energy developments this year. Interstate power and light, a part of Alliant, already gets four percent of its power from wind sources. But the company never owned its own wind farm before now. In part, there were concerns that tax credits wouldn't continue.

Tom Aller of Iowa Power and Light says there are no guarantees. The Alliant division's $400 million investment will go to Iowa wind power manufacturers like clipper, but such local companies should have an advantage.

The 200-mega watt wind farm plan announced here today should go under construction in 2009. The hope is all those wind generators in Franklin County will be up and running.

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