Last week, Siemens announced that it had received an order for 258 of its SWT-2.3-101 wind turbines for three MidAmerican Energy Co. projects in Iowa.

The projects, the Laurel, Rolling Hills and Pomeroy wind developments, have a combined capacity of 593 MW.

Delivery and commissioning of the turbines is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2011 and be completed by early 2012.

In addition to the wind turbine order, Siemens signed a long-term service contract with MidAmerican Energy for its natural gas-fueled, combined-cycle Greater Des Moines Energy Center.

Randy Zwirn, President and CEO of Siemens Energy sees this as a positive sign for the wind industry, which experienced a slowdown in 2010.  "Orders of this magnitude create the environment for continued investment in the infrastructure America needs to meet the strong demand for clean energy right where it's used."

Earlier in 2010, Siemens Energy opened a new wind turbine nacelle assembly facility in Hutchinson, Kansas, and the company says that it is committed to further production expansion as the U.S. market continues to grow.