Alliant Energy Iowa grew renewable energy use to more than 26.5 percent in 2019

Verification from the Iowa Utilities Board last week showed that more than 26.5 percent of the energy provided by Alliant Energy Iowa in 2019 came from renewable sources, representing a more than 16 percentage point growth over 2018.

“We continue to focus on providing customers with affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy,” Terry Kouba, president of Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company, said. “With more than double-digit growth in renewable generation, this achievement shows we are moving in the right direction. Our Clean Energy Blueprint will only accelerate our use of renewables, which benefits the environment and our customers.”

In October, Alliant Energy pledged to add up to 400 MW of solar power by 2023 through its Iowa Clean Energy Blueprint. The company already owns nearly 1,300 MW of wind facilities, solar farms, and other renewable sources. By 2023, it anticipates that more than half of its Iowa generation will come from such sources. It is a major change from the 9.9 percent of power such sources accounted for just two years ago.

To reach its ambitious goals, Alliant intends to add up to 100 MW of distributed energy resources — like community solar and energy storage systems — by 2026. It will also retire its coal-fired Lansing Generating Station by the end of 2022 and convert the Burlington Generating Station to natural gas next year.

Alliant has also pledged to reach a 50 percent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 and eliminate coal from its generation fleet by 2040. By 2050, it hopes to have eliminated CO2 emissions.