Alliant Energy to Seek 100 MW of New Renewables

A comprehensive state energy plan called ‘Power Iowa’ includes the development of renewable energy resources as its second priority.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, US, 2001-12-19 [SolarAccess.com] The second component of Alliant Energy’s plan will include a request for proposals for additional renewable energy resources, with the company expecting to add 50 to 100 MW of new renewable generating capacity by 2005. It expects to issue this RFP in the first half of 2002. “Like a solid investment portfolio, a strong energy future calls for a diversified mix of energy sources,” says Eliot Protsch of Alliant. “In ‘Power Iowa,’ we have an approach that will position Iowa with a safe, reliable and environmentally sound energy future.” “Renewable energy will continue to play a key role in our state and country’s energy future,” he adds. “There are exciting developments in wind, biomass and other energy technologies that will help make renewable energy alternatives even more attractive.” The first component of the energy plan is the addition of 500 MW of gas-fired generation. It calls for a new combined-cycle plant to be on-line by the summer of 2004, and 300 MW of simple-cycle generating capacity could be on-line as early as mid-2003. The company has issued RFP for the gas plant and plans to select a winning bidder by the end of first quarter 2002. The third component of the plan will be the addition of coal-fired baseload capacity to be on-line in 2007. Alliant plans to issue a RFP for a 400 to 500 MW clean coal facility in the first half of next year. The final component of the plan will seek to implement a significant increase in energy efficiency through conservation and process improvements, and the company expects to announce an aggressive goal for energy efficiency that will be the equivalent of a small power plant. Under performance contracting used in neighbouring state, Protsch says Alliant has saved enough energy to offset a 110 MW baseload plant. Under performance contracting, efficiency and process improvements at customer locations are financed by the utility and paid over time by the customer through the actual energy savings.