This information relates to electricity generated from wind resources. See Iowa's Electric Profile for more information on electric generation from all sources.
Year
Wind Nameplate Capacity MW(1)
Wind Electric Generation MWh(2)
Percent of Iowa's Total Electric Energy Generation from Wind(3)
2021
11,804.1
37,098,274
55.20%
2020
11,406.9
34,182,302
57.32%
2019
9,906.3
25,328,971
41.07%
2018
8,386.7
21,334,053
33.66%
2017
7.098.7
21,372,752
36.91%
Note: (1) IUC updates the values for past years based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data.
Source Notes: (1) Wind Nameplate Capacity by megawatts (MW) for 2006-2021 based on generator information in Form EIA-860 based on generating units greater than 1 MW, physically located in Iowa, where wind is identified as the prime mover for the applicable year. (2) Wind Energy Generated by megawatt hours (MWh) for 2006-2021 was taken from Form EIA-923. This energy was generated from units greater than 1 MW within the state of Iowa, but some portion of the energy may have been consumed out of state. The data applicable to the years 2006-2021 comes from the final EIA-923 data for each applicable year. (3) This column is calculated by comparing wind-based generation to generation from all fuel sources based on EIA-923.
Source: 2021 generation by fuel source per EIA 923. Some portion of both the wind and non-wind energy generated within a state may have been consumed out of state. Download combined data table.
Frequently asked questions related to wind-powered generators in Iowa.
A facility as defined in the IUC's rules in 199 IAC chapter 24 must apply for a generating certificate prior to construction of significant alteration. County and local governments and state and federal agencies may have additional requirements.
Under Iowa Code chapter 476C, a state production tax credit of 1.5¢ per kWh is available for energy sold by eligible wind energy facilities and certain other non-wind renewable energy facilities. For applications filed after July 1, 2011, tax credits are also available for on-site consumption of renewable energy from facilities with a nameplate capacity of not less than 750 kW. For wind energy facilities, the maximum total eligibility is 363 MW. For other non-wind renewable facilities, the maximum total eligibility is 63 MW. The eligible facility was required to have been placed in service before January 1, 2018.
The tax credit certificates are transferable and may be applied toward the state's individual income, corporate income, franchise, insurance premium, sales and use, or replacement tax.
Additional tax credits or exemptions may be available through programs not administered by the IUC. More information is available at dsireusa.org.
Net metering means using a single meter to monitor the net amount of electricity delivered to and exported by an eligible distributed generation facility. The electricity generated by the distributed generation customer offsets electricity that would otherwise be purchased by a distributed generation customer from the electric utility. The IUC's administrative code rules for net metering are found in 199 IAC 15.11(5).
In 2020, Interstate Power & Light Company, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy, and MidAmerican Energy Company were required to file new net metering tariffs utilizing either the net billing or inflow-outflow method. Senate File 538 (Iowa Code 476.49.
Iowa’s alternate energy law was one of the country’s first renewable energy policies and, in many ways, was a precursor to today’s renewable portfolio standards. Iowa has a capacity-based requirement of 105 MW and associated energy, which rate-regulated utilities are obligated to purchase.
In 2007, the IUC issued an order in Docket No. AEP-07-01 that approved specific facilities designated by the rate-regulated utilities for satisfying this requirement.
