MidAmerican Energy Co. said it plans to build 176 wind turbines with a generating capacity of 407.1 MW in five Iowa counties by the end of 2012.

News reports said the project was approved in 2009 by the Iowa Utilities Board as part of a 1,000 MW request made by MidAmerican prior to 2013.

MidAmerican recently purchased the 103.5 MW Vienna wind project from RPM Access, and signed agreements with Clipper Windpower Development Co. for the acquisition of the 200.1 MW Eclipse wind project and the 101.2 MW Morning Light wind project. The company also plans to add a 2.3 MW turbine to the Rolling Hills wind project. All four projects are expected to be complete by the end of 2012.

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