Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions has placed into commercial operation the 207MW Ledyard Windpower project in Kossuth County, Iowa.
This is DESS’s first project in the state, providing enough renewable capacity to power the equivalent of 75,000 US homes.
It consists of 46 Vestas V150 4.5-MW turbines. Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions is responsible for the site’s long-term maintenance and operations.
Verizon Communications is supporting the project through a 15-year virtual PPA for 180MW of power from the Ledyard project.
President of Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions Chris Fallon said: “More than 10% of the nation’s wind power is in Iowa, and it’s exciting for our company to begin operating in that market.
“We also have a terrific customer in Verizon, and we’re pleased to help them advance their own renewable energy portfolio for their operations.”
Verizon’s chief sustainability officer and senior vice president of global supply chain James Gowen added: “Verizon’s support of renewable energy is a key enabler to achieving our goal of net-zero emissions in our operations by 2035.
“Through investments in clean energy solutions – like this agreement with Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions – Verizon is doing its part to green the US energy grid.”
Ledyard Windpower created about 200 jobs during peak construction. The 12,000-acre agricultural site will continue to be used by farmers.
The project was co-developed by Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions and Amshore Renewable Energy.