The order comes on the heels of MidAmerican's completion of 593.4 MW in wind projects in the state. The new order represents a 407.1 MW expansion of these holdings with completion planned before the end of the year.
Each of the Siemens turbines on order is capable of producing 2.3 megawatts of energy.
Siemens will provide SWT-2.3-108 wind turbines for MidAmerican Energy’s recently announced 103.5 MW Vienna wind project, which is expected to be located in Marshall and Tama counties; 200.1 MW Eclipse wind project, located in Guthrie and Audubon counties; and 101.2 MW Morning Light wind project, located in Adair County.
The contract includes a five-year service, maintenance and warranty agreement.
“We are extremely proud that MidAmerican Energy has again selected us to provide our advanced wind turbine equipment for its expansion projects in Iowa,” said Mark Albenze, CEO of the Americas Business Unit of Siemens Energy’s Wind Power Division.
"Having just completed the 593.4-megawatt wind projects for the company, this additional order is evidence of the confidence forward-looking utilities, such as MidAmerican Energy, place in our technology and implementation capabilities," Albenze said. “Once the 2012 projects are complete, MidAmerican Energy and Siemens will have provided a total of 1 gigawatt of secure and environmentally friendly power to approximately 300,000 average U.S. households over a two-year period.”
Siemens also will provide one additional 2.3 MW wind turbine, which will be installed at MidAmerican Energy’s Rolling Hills wind project.
Once complete, the wind turbines will supply renewable energy to more than 120,000 average U.S. households.
The nacelles and blades for the three projects will be manufactured at Siemens’ nearby manufacturing facilities in Fort Madison, Iowa, and Hutchinson, Kansas.
“We are pleased to work with Siemens on another wind expansion,” said Adam Wright, vice president of wind development, MidAmerican Energy. “MidAmerican Energy and Siemens first worked together on a wind project in 2008. Our partnership with Siemens has allowed us to deliver significant renewable energy resources to our customers then and during our 2011 wind expansion, and we look forward to working with them as we execute our 2012 wind projects.”
In 2008, Siemens was awarded the contract to supply 76 of its 2.3 MW wind turbines for the 174.8 MW Adair wind project in Iowa. In late 2010, Siemens received its largest wind order ever for 258 wind turbines for MidAmerican Energy’s 593.4-megawatt Iowa wind expansion projects located in Adams, Adair, Calhoun, Cass, Marshall and Pocahontas counties in Iowa. By year-end 2012, the two companies will have provided a total of nearly 1.2 GW of wind-powered energy in Iowa.
For additional information:
