World Power Plants

Prairie Wind Farm, with a capacity of 168 MW, holds an important position as the 1556th largest power generation facility in the United States. This wind power plant, commissioned in 2018 and operated by MidAmerican Energy Co, ranks 222nd among the 1142 wind facilities in the country. Its contribution, while representing a mere 0.01% of the national capacity of 1,386,385 MW, exemplifies the growing role of wind energy as a critical component of the United States' energy portfolio. Prairie Wind Farm is strategically located within a region characterized by a diverse energy landscape, with notable nearby facilities such as the Ottumwa coal plant, which boasts a substantial capacity of 725.9 MW, and several other wind plants including North English (340 MW) and English Farms (171.5 MW). This proximity to both fossil fuel and renewable sources exemplifies the transitional nature of the regional energy mix. The dominance of natural gas in the national energy profile poses challenges and opportunities for wind energy, as the industry seeks to increase its share amid competition from gas and coal. Prairie Wind Farm represents not just a clean energy source, but also a step towards achieving national and state-level sustainability goals. The operator, MidAmerican Energy Co, has made significant investments in renewable resources, reflecting a commitment to a greener future. As wind technology continues to evolve and expand, Prairie Wind Farm is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the energy landscape in Iowa and beyond. The facility serves as a beacon of hope for the renewable energy sector, demonstrating that even modest contributions can positively impact the environment and local economies.

Capacity
168 MW
Commissioning Year
2018

8 years old

Owner
MidAmerican Energy Co
Location
41.4369°, -92.7038°

United States of America, North America

Context & rankings
  • 1,607. largest of 10,098 plants in United States of America
  • #8,016 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #390 of 5,731 Wind plants worldwide
  • 0.01% of the installed capacity of United States of America
Age & fleet comparison

8 years in operation

Wind fleet average: 14.4 years

Operator portfolio

MidAmerican Energy Co operates 45 plants totalling 11,395 MW

Regional density

52 plants within 100 km, 4,405 MW combined

Nearest plant: Pella Peaking (19.7 km)

Location

Coordinates:: 41.436900, -92.703800
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Carbon Footprint

Zero Direct Emissions

Prairie Wind Farm is a wind power plant producing approximately 442 GWh of clean electricity per year with zero direct CO₂ emissions during operation.

Lifecycle emissions: ~11 g CO₂/kWh (manufacturing, transport, decommissioning)

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Wind
Energy Source
Renewable
Country
United States of America
Continent
North America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

United States of AmericaEnergy Profile

10,098
Total Plants
1420.7 GW
Total Capacity
GasCoalNuclearWind
Top Fuels

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