Alliant Energy employees walking in a wind farm

Wind works for Franklin County

A resilient future starts with smart investments. Wind and battery storage help to strengthen the grid, fuel local economies and ensure safe, reliable power for generations to come.

We're proud to build on our strong roots in Franklin County, Iowa, with a growing portfolio of energy projects.


Our existing wind farms

Today, we own and operate three wind projects in Franklin County. These facilities generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 160,000 homes annually – delivering safe, cost-effective, homegrown energy across the region.

Since our first project in the county became operational in 2009, our projects have already contributed over $36 million in local tax revenue and over $18 million in lease payments to participating landowners, strengthening and supporting rural communities.

Two new proposed wind projects

Our two new proposed projects — Wild Rose and Whispering Willow South — continue this legacy, expanding upon Franklin County’s exceptional wind resources and valued community partnerships.  

Once operational, these projects will generate an estimated $150 million in tax revenue over the first 20 years of their operation. They will also provide predictable income streams for landowners who choose to participate voluntarily.

Battery energy storage system (BESS)

To compliment this generation, we're also building a battery energy storage system (BESS) at our Whispering Willow North Wind Farm. BESS facilities charge from the grid when energy demand is low or directly from wind or solar projects when excess renewable energy is abundant. They discharge energy when demand increases, such as on hot summer or cold winter days. The ability to capture and store energy helps us meet customer needs, reduces the need for traditional grid upgrades and strengthens reliability during outages and severe weather.

Together, with our existing and proposed wind projects and our battery storage sites, we’re building a strong, resilient energy future for generations to come.

wind turbines in the air

Whispering Willow South wind project

Size: 200 megawatts

Number of turbines: 34-45

Homes powered: About 80,000

Learn more about Whispering Willow South
Wind turbines in an open field.

Wild Rose wind project

Size: 200 megawatts

Number of turbines: 34-40

Homes powered: About 80,000

Learn more about Wild Rose
Alliant Energy employee near a storage battery

Whispering Willow North battery energy storage system (BESS)

Location: Whispering Willow North Wind Farm

Phase one storage capacity: 75 megawatts
Phase one operational date: Late 2026

Phase two storage capacity: 125 megawatts
Phase two operational date: 2027

Learn more about the Whispering Willow North BESS

Map of our Franklin County projects

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