Washington County Wind Farm Taking Shape

Majority of land leases completed for wind generators

Larry Christenson • Kalona Area News

Tim Wichman with TradeWind Energy LLC described the current and planned activities of the wind project in Washington County to the Board of Supervisors at the Tuesday April 20 meeting.  The majority of the land leases have been completed for the approximate 80,000 acre Long Creek Wind Project, which stretches across the full width of the County.

The majority of the acres under lease are in Highland, Jackson, Cedar and Seventy-Six Townships.  Wichman stated the size of the project would include 335 towers each with a 1.5 MW generation capacity.  The total anticipated investment would be $1 billion.

An average wind speed in the area of 12 to 14 mph and location of the MidAmerican owned transmission lines along highway 218 were two of the factors utilized in the selection of the proposed project in Washington County.  Wichman stated that community support is another necessity for the corporation to successfully gather commitments from investors.

Obtaining outside investors is the next phase of the project.  Wichman requested the Board provide a letter of support for the project and indicate a willingness to work with TradeWind Energy on the appropriate ordinances to comply with Iowa Code.  With the existing code requirements, Wichman stated that after the project is in place approximately $3 to $4 million of tax revenue would be generated for the County.  The Board will consider the letter of support at a future meeting.