Alliant Energy presents plan for 150-MW solar park in Iowa

US utility Alliant Energy Corp (NASDAQ:LNT) on Monday unveiled plans for the construction of a 150-MW solar power plant near Wever in Lee County, Iowa.

Justin Foss of Alliant Energy presented the project to Lee County Supervisors, saying that a public hearing is scheduled for September 27 in Fort Madison.

According to Foss, the project will span 800-900 acres (324-364 ha), with solar panels covering 230 acres. He noted that the company has 100% land control with voluntary participation from landowners.

The official went on to say that the company hopes to first secure a development agreement with Lee County in the next one to two months and then obtain a permit from the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) early next summer. If all goes according to plan, solar panel deliveries to the project site could begin in late December 2023, while the entire facility should be up and running by the end of 2024.

There is the possibility to add an energy storage component, it was pointed out.

Last year, Alliant Energy filed plans with the IUB to contract 200 MW of solar power and 75 MW of battery energy storage from Phase I and II of the Duane Arnold solar project that is being developed by NextEra Energy Resources LLC in Linn County. The company’s overall plan is to add 400 MW of solar energy generation in Iowa.

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