New wind farm dedicated in North Central Iowa

A new wind farm was officially opened in North central Iowa this morning. The Hancock County Wind Energy Center is operated by F-P-L Energy and includes 148 turbines on 80 square miles. Company president Jim Robo says the farm is the product of a private/public partnership. Robo says they’re tapping a renewable energy source. The Hancock County project is one of 26 wind farms that F-P-L owns and operates in nine states. He says the power will be purchased by Alliant Energy, Cedar Falls and Pella. The windy weather of this past weekend may have been unwelcome by most but it was a boost for the center. He says it was the largest day since the farm opened for wind power generation.