Alliant Energy purchases nearly 600 megawatts of wind energy from wind farms across Iowa, southern Minnesota and Wisconsin. According to the American Wind Energy Association, that ranks Alliant Energy in the Top Ten among investor-owned utilities for the amount of wind energy purchased.
Alliant Energy uses the renewable energy it generates and acquires to meet our various state Renewable Portfolio Standards and source Second Nature – our green pricing program. However, any renewable energy generated or acquired beyond our Renewable Portfolio Standards, may be sold for Renewable Energy Credits.
Keep reading to learn more about some of Alliant Energy’s wind energy partners and their facilities.
Top of Iowa Wind Farm
In February 2001, Alliant Energy signed a long-term contract to purchase 80 megawatts of energy – enough to power approximately 20,000 homes – from the Top of Iowa Wind Farm near Joice, in Worth County, Iowa.
The facility was co-developed by Zilkha Renewable Energy and Midwest Renewable Energy Corporation, with turbines purchased from NEG Micon.
Hancock County Wind Energy Center
When it began operation in December 2002, the Hancock County Wind Energy Center became one of the largest commercial-scale wind farms in Iowa.
The 148 Vestas turbines produce 98 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 24,500 homes. Alliant Energy is one of four utilities purchasing power from the facility. We purchase 56 megawatts.
The 148 turbines are scattered across 60 acres in Garner, in Hancock County, Iowa. The facility is owned and operated by Florida Power and Light Company (FPL).
Storm Lake Wind Power Facility
In September 1999, the Storm Lake Wind Power Facility was dedicated in Alta, in Buena Vista County, Iowa.
Alliant Energy purchases 80 megawatts of energy generated from 107 turbines, enough to power approximately 20,000 homes.
The Storm Lake Wind Power Facility consists of 260 turbines capable of producing 193 megawatts, enough electricity to power approximately 48,000 homes. 
Cerro Gordo Wind Farm
The Cerro Gordo Wind Farm near Ventura, in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa started providing energy to Alliant Energy customers in May 1999. Alliant Energy has a contract to purchase all of the facility’s 42 megawatts for a 20 year period.
The Cerro Gordo Wind Farm has 55 turbines spread across 2,110 acres. Its 42 megawatts provide enough energy to power approximately 10,500 homes each year.
Flying Cloud Wind Farm
Alliant Energy has a 15-year contract to purchase all of the energy produced at the Flying Cloud Wind Farm near Spirit Lake, in Dickinson County, Iowa. Its 44 megawatts produce enough energy to power approximately 11,000 homes each year.
Flying Cloud began commercial operation in December 2003. It was the first wind farm in the United States to go commercial using GE’s new 80-meter towers.
Flying Cloud Wind Farm is owned by PPM Energy and operated by GE Energy.
Hardin Hilltop Wind Farm
Iowa’s first locally-owned wind farm began commercial operation in May 2007. Located in Hardin Township, which is near Jefferson, in Greene County, Iowa, it has seven turbines that produce 15 megawatts of energy, all of it purchased by Alliant Energy.
Montfort Wind Farm
In April 2001, Alliant Energy announced an agreement with FPL to purchase 4.5 megawatts of wind energy from the Montfort Wind Farm located near Montfort, in Iowa County, Wisconsin.
The facility includes 20 1.5 megawatt turbines. The turbines stand on 215-foot towers and have 100-foot blades. The Montfort Wind Farm produces 30 megawatts of energy, enough to power approximately 7,500 homes.
Forward Wind Energy Center
The Forward Wind Energy Center consists of 86 turbines spread across 12,000 acres in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties in southeastern Wisconsin, with a capacity of 129 megawatts. Alliant Energy purchases 27.5 megawatts from the facility that began commercial operations in March 2008.
The Forward Wind Energy Center was developed by and is owned by Invenergy Wind LLC out of Chicago, Illinois.
Windom Wind Farm
Alliant Energy purchases 19.8 megawatts of energy from the Windom Wind Farm located near Windom in Cottonwood County, Minnesota. The Windom Wind Farm is owned by a farmers’ cooperative and began producing energy in 2006.
Sieve Wind Farm
Alliant Energy contracted with Northern Alternative Energy to develop the facility, which contains a single 0.95 megawatt turbine. The turbine provides enough electricity to power approximately 250 homes a year.
It stands on the 220 acre farm owned by Leon and Dolores Sieve in Wilmont Hills, in Nobles County, Minnesota.
Alliant Energy also purchases smaller amounts of wind energy from the following wind farms in Iowa:
Allendorf Wind Farm, Neppel Wind Farm, Windway Technologies
And Minnesota:
MinWind, Wilmont Hills Wind Farm, Arnold Wind Farm, Adams Wind Farm