The order represents a total capacity of 1,050MW — the largest single order for onshore wind power awarded globally to date, according to Siemens.
The wind turbines, each with a nominal rating of 2.3MW and a rotor diameter of 108 meters, are to be installed in five different projects in Iowa. Siemens will also be responsible for service and maintenance of the wind turbines.
“This new order from MidAmerican Energy once again highlights that we are one of the leading suppliers in the U.S. wind power market,” said Markus Tacke, CEO of the Wind Power Division of Siemens Energy. In Europe and Africa alone, Siemens successfully installed more than 1GW gigawatt in the last fiscal year, he added.
Iowa is one of the leading U.S. states in wind energy generation. In 2012, around 24 per cent of total power generation in the state was provided by wind power. Siemens has already installed 1.2 GW of wind power capacity for MidAmerican Energy to date. Including this new order, these wind projects will provide around 660,000 American households with eco-friendly power when they are completed in 2015.
The nacelles and hubs for the wind turbines of this major order will be assembled at the Siemens plant in Hutchinson, Kansas, and the rotor blades will be produced by Siemens in Fort Madison, Iowa.