Iowa is a world wide leader in the Wind Energy industry and the Marion Enterprise Center (MEC) has been designed and strategically located to accommodate the specific needs of the Wind Energy Industry. Components of, and manufacturers within, the Wind Energy industry require certain design elements (such as immediate proximity to transportation systems and long turning radiuses) and the MEC has taking these industry needs into full consideration with its design.
Facts about the Wind Energy Industry in Iowa:
- Iowa's installed wind generators can produce enough power to provide electricity to over 900,000 average sized homes!
- Iowa has become a national leader in the production of wind energy for many reasons:
- 3,670 megawatts of installed wind capacity - IUB
- 53 million megawatt hours of generation in 2008 - IUB
- 33.3% average wind capacity factor - IUB
- Second nationally with installed megawatts - AWEA
- First nationally with 17 - 20% electricity generated from wind - David Osterberg, Iowa Policy Project Report
- 10th best wind resource in the nation – AWEA
(Source: www.iowawindenergy.org)
- There are 36 states that have utility-scale wind projects and 14 states are in the "Gigawatt Club" with more than 1,000 MW of installed wind capacity per state. In state rankings, Iowa leads in terms of percentage of electricity from wind power, getting 14% of its power from the wind, and also leads in highest number of jobs in the manufacturing sector. Texas
consolidated its lead in wind capacity and in largest wind farms installed.
- Approximately 85,000 people are employed in the wind industry today and hold jobs in areas as varied
as turbine component manufacturing, construction and installation of wind turbines, wind turbine
operations and maintenance, legal and marketing services, transportation and logistical services, and
more.
- To ensure a skilled workforce across the wind energy industry, 205 educational programs now offer a
certificate, degree, or coursework related to wind energy. Of these 205 programs, the largest
segments are university and college programs (45%) and community colleges or technical school
programs (43%).
- Despite the economic downturn, the demand for small wind systems for residential and small business
use (rated capacity of 100 kW or less) grew 15% in 2009, adding 20 MW of generating capacity to the
nation. Seven small wind turbine manufacturing facilities were opened, announced or expanded in
2009.
For a complete list of projects and manufacturing facilities added in 2009, please visit www.awea.org/projects
Source: www.awea.org
For more information on the Wind Energy Industry, visit the following links:
www.awea.org
www.iowawindenergy.org
Wind Energy