Alliant Energy completes implosion of M.L. Kapp coal-fired power plant

The M.L. Kapp Generating Station, a 165 MW coal plant in Iowa, was successfully imploded last week by Alliant Energy, putting an end to operations that had spanned more than 70 years.

Alliant Energy released a YouTube video of the implosion of the M.L. Kapp Generating Station along with its announcement. The demolition marks the company’s plans to accelerate shifts to cleaner energy. The plant had been in operation since 1947, though its end began with a conversion to natural gas operations in 2015. More than 99 percent of the materials from its remaining structures will be repurposed or recycled.

“Our employees did a tremendous job maintaining and operating M.L. Kapp Generating Station for decades on behalf of our customers,” Terry Kouba, president of Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company, said. “As we move to a cleaner energy future, we’re using new technology to produce electricity in more cost-effective ways.”

Originally, the plant was supposed to continue for longer, but Alliant opted to close it six years ahead of schedule following two separate reviews that indicated it was the best financial interest of its customers. It has been closed since June 1, 2018.

The company is diversifying its portfolio away from coal. This has led to operations like the 706 MW Marshalltown Generating Station, a natural gas-fired facility, as well as wind and solar investments that now power nearly 600,000 homes in Iowa each year.