Wind farm facts
Get the quick facts on wind energy and our wind farms!
How many turbines are in MidAmerican’s fleet?
As of 2021, we have more than 3,300 wind turbines across 31 Iowa counties.
As of 2021, we have more than 3,300 wind turbines across 31 Iowa counties.
How much electricity can be generated from MidAmerican's wind farms?
As of 2021, our fleet of wind farms generates more than 7,000 megawatts of electricity – enough to power more than 2.3 million average households each year.
As of 2021, our fleet of wind farms generates more than 7,000 megawatts of electricity – enough to power more than 2.3 million average households each year.
How important is wind power to MidAmerican Energy?
Our fleet of wind farms represent an investment of nearly $13 billion in clean, renewable energy since 2004. MidAmerican Energy owns 5.9% of all the wind capacity in the country. We are proud to help make Iowa the national leader in wind energy generation as a percentage of total statewide electricity generation, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
Our fleet of wind farms represent an investment of nearly $13 billion in clean, renewable energy since 2004. MidAmerican Energy owns 5.9% of all the wind capacity in the country. We are proud to help make Iowa the national leader in wind energy generation as a percentage of total statewide electricity generation, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
How fast can a wind turbine spin?
At its tip, a wind turbine blade can spin as fast as 200 miles per hour! To prevent damage from severe weather, our wind turbines automatically shut down and stop spinning when winds are strong enough to cause the blades to spin faster than they can safely manage.
At its tip, a wind turbine blade can spin as fast as 200 miles per hour! To prevent damage from severe weather, our wind turbines automatically shut down and stop spinning when winds are strong enough to cause the blades to spin faster than they can safely manage.
How big are wind turbines?
The first wind turbines in our fleet were 71m (approx. 233 feet) tall. The tallest model of wind turbine in our fleet in 2020 is nearly 150m (nearly 600 feet) tall. That’s almost twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty! Taller towers can support longer turbine blades, which generate more electricity for longer periods of time. This helps us meet Iowa energy users with clean, safe, renewable energy faster. We’ve been able to upgrade many of our older turbines with new parts and technologies in a process called repowering.
The first wind turbines in our fleet were 71m (approx. 233 feet) tall. The tallest model of wind turbine in our fleet in 2020 is nearly 150m (nearly 600 feet) tall. That’s almost twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty! Taller towers can support longer turbine blades, which generate more electricity for longer periods of time. This helps us meet Iowa energy users with clean, safe, renewable energy faster. We’ve been able to upgrade many of our older turbines with new parts and technologies in a process called repowering.