Northwest Iowa Development is experiencing an exciting emergence of alternative energy activities in the region, especially wind energy.  One such development that is up and running is the Endeavor Wind Energy Center located in Osceola County.  The Endeavor Center is owned and operated by  NextEra Energy Resources.  The Center includes an approximate $220 million investment which includes a 150 megawatt wind generation plant; forty 2.5 megawatt Clipper wind turbines (Endeavor 1) and twenty 2.5 megawatt Clipper wind turbines (Endeavor II).  Together, the two Endeavor projects are capable of generating enough electricity to power 45,000 homes.  Each wind turbine is 262.5 feet tall from the ground to the hub in the center of the blades.   

Benefits to the region consist of employment of a staff of seven; adds to the Osceola County tax base; provides economic stimulus of landowner lease payments; creates no air or water pollution; uses no water in the generation of electricity; and allows land to remain in agricultural use.  Positions northwestern Iowa as a new alternative energy area and enables the region to have new economic opportunities. 

NextEra Energy Resources is a leading clean energy provider operating wind, natural gas, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear power plants across the nation.  Approximately 17,000 megawatts of generating capacity in 25 states and Canada makes NextEra Energy Resources the largest wind generator in the country with approximately 65 facilities in 16 states and Canada.  NextEra Energy Resources is a subsidiary of FPL Group, Inc. with headquarters in Juno Beach, Florida. 

Northwestern Iowa is known as a region with a large number of consecutive days of wind actually occurring and Iowa’s windiest area.  This makes the service area for Northwest Iowa Development as an exciting place for alternative energy activities companies to consider.