Building Energy to build its first wind project in USA

Building Energy, a multinational company operating as Global Integrated IPP in the Renewable Energy Industry, has begun the second phase of construction on the new wind farms located in Iowa, which will add up to 30 megawatts of wind generation capacity.

The $55 million project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016, according to the company project schedule.

The wind facility will be located north of Des Moines and will consist of ten ACCIONA Windpower 3.0 MW geared onshore wind turbines and they will produce 110,000 MWh per year, which will be sold to the local utility Alliant Energy.

The wind farm has been developed in 4 different counties in order to provide renewable energy to as many local communities as possible. Acciona Windpower, the turbine manufacturing subsidiary of the infrastructure and renewable energy group of ACCIONA, will supply ten AW125/3000 turbines, with a rotor diameter of 125 meters and a 3.0 megawatt generator mounted on an 87.5 meter steel tower. The balance of plant will be provided by the general contractor Michels Corporation. The energy generated by the wind farm will satisfy the energy needs of 11,000 US families and will also contribute to the reduction of 100,000 tons of CO₂ emissions.

The Iowa project will be the first wind farm developed by Building Energy. The company, however, has been present in the US since 2013 with its offices in Washington DC, from which it has been managing the development of several projects totaling 100 MW, such as a solar plant in Annapolis, which will be built on a closed landfill, and one in Baltimore, as well as a solar park for Cornell University, one of the US’ Ivy League Universities.

Andrea Braccialarghe, Building Energy Managing Director USA stated:

“We are very excited to announce our first wind project for Building Energy and thrilled that this has been happening in USA. Wind is becoming a key element of our company’s balanced approach to energy generation. Our investment in wind enables to keep electricity rates stable and affordable for the local communities, provides economic development and shows our full commitment to environmental respect without impacting residential areas or conflicting with agricultural or livestock activities.”