Iowa's largest energy provider is considering building a 900-acre solar farm in Johnson County that could power more than 30,000 homes.
Plans filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission in February would add six solar sites to the MidAmerican Energy's arsenal in 2027 and 2028, including a "Triangle" in Johnson County just south of Iowa City that would be among the state's largest solar farms. The "Triangle" project would be near properties along Highway 218.
MidAmerican has not yet revealed where they plan to place each solar farm, though two projects are expected in Sac County and Mills County in western Iowa.
MidAmerican estimates that the Johnson County solar farm will generate about 150 megawatts, meaning it could power 29,000 Iowa City-area homes annually. The six solar farms together are expected to generate about 800 megawatts statewide, enough to power about 150,000 homes.
The proposals come on the heels of a November 2024 MidAmerican study that predicts growth in energy demand over the next two decades. The company's projection exposed a "need for near-term capacity additions to meet the growth as soon as 2026."
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MidAmerican will need approval from the Iowa Utilities Commission to proceed with its solar farms. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and be completed by 2028 if they get the OK.
MidAmerican anticipates the solar projects to generate nearly $25 million in property taxes over its life and $270 million in lease payments to landowners. The company did not say how much they would pay to acquire the necessary land needed for each project.
"The proposed generating projects will help the company keep rates affordable while also ensuring customers have the around-the-clock energy they need," the company said in a release.
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Nationwide, energy demand has been on the rise. Utility companies are trying to keep up, noting a growing demand from tech companies increasing their artificial intelligence capabilities, electric vehicle production and new manufacturing operations in the U.S.
Iowa has attracted massive data centers for Facebook, Google, Microsoft and other tech companies.
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MidAmerican is not the only electric utility operating in Iowa that is proposing measures to keep up with the growth: Florida-based NextEra Energy has pushed to reopen Iowa's only nuclear power plant, saying it could restart its Duane Arnold plant near Palo by late 2028.
"It's crucial for our economy to have energy that's there when we need it most -- regardless of whether it's hot, cold, windy or cloudy," Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair said in MidAmerican's press release. "Developing a diverse mix of energy sources that keeps rates affordable and serves Iowans into the future just makes good sense."
MidAmerican said the large solar project is expected to complement its extensive wind-powered generation capabilities by "providing increased energy at times when wind energy may be lower." Like wind, MidAmerican noted that solar energy "requires no fuel and helps to keep energy prices low for customers."
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MidAmerican, in its press release, claims its utility rates are 42% below the national average.
The company has pitched a natural gas combustion turbine project in Adair County that they said would generate 400 construction jobs over two years and five high-paying, permanent positions. The company claims it could serve the surrounding community for the next 40 years.
The Register's Donnelle Eller contributed reporting.
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: 900-acre solar farm in Johnson County part of MidAmerican proposal