Stacyville, Iowa, February 13th, 2023: EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA), a leading renewable energy developer and operator in North America, announces its Pioneer Prairie Wind Farm’s 15th-anniversary celebration. The two-phase 300-megawatt (MW) project, located in Mitchell and Howard counties in Iowa, produces enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 86,000 Midwest homes annually. The project has also provided significant economic and environmental benefits for the local community as well as the state.

“The supportive people of Mitchell and Howard counties have been key contributors to this milestone and in helping EDP Renewables achieve its mission to produce clean, sustainable energy,” Craig Wiste, Operations Manager – Pioneer Prairie, Prairie Star, and Turtle Creek Wind Farms, said. “We are eager to see what the future holds for our Pioneer Prairie Wind Farm and look forward to many more years of safe and efficient renewable energy generation.”

Pioneer Prairie represents an estimated capital investment of approximately $661 million and provides significant economic benefits to the community through job creation and funding to the local community. During construction, the project created 330 full-time equivalent jobs and currently employs 44 permanent positions who operate and maintain the project. Pioneer Prairie has also contributed an estimated $41.7 million worth of spending within 50 miles of the project, supporting local businesses such as restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and shops. In addition to local investments, the wind farm has provided landowners with more than $17.6 million through land lease payments.

Beyond economic support, wind energy helps reduce the negative impact of climate change by enhancing air quality and limiting water consumption. Pioneer Prairie saves more than 534 million gallons of water each year, which is the amount of water conventional generation sources would need to produce the same amount of energy capacity as the wind farm.

EDPR NA is a renewable energy leader in Iowa, with 600 MW of operating capacity in the state. In addition to Pioneer Prairie, the company also operates the 199-MW Turtle Creek Wind Farm in Mitchell County and the 101-MW Lost Lakes Wind Farm in Dickinson County. In total, EDPR NA’s Iowa projects represent an estimated capital investment of approximately $1.2 billion.

Explore our Pioneer Prairie Wind Farm project webpage.