Energy in Iowa

Sources of Iowa utility-scale electricity generation:
full-year 2022 ^[1]

1. Wind (62.4%)
2. Coal (25.4%)
3. Natural Gas (9.20%)
4. Hydroelectric (1.60%)
5. Solar (1.00%)
6. Biomass (0.30%)
7. Petroleum (0.20%)

Iowa electricity production by type

Iowa is one of the largest states by electric production and the largest one that does not produce petroleum. ^[2] In 2021, Iowa had a total summer capacity of 21,771 MW through all of its power plants, and in 2022 Iowa had a net generation of 71,316  gigawatt-hours. ^[3] The corresponding electrical energy generation mix was 62.4% wind, 25.4% coal, 9.2% natural gas, 1.6% hydroelectric, 1% solar, 0.2% petroleum and 0.3% biomass. Small-scale solar, which includes customer-owned photovoltaic panels, delivered 308 GWh to the state's electrical grid. ^[1]

Iowa has been among the top-five energy-consuming states, due in large part to its productive agriculture industry. State regulators implemented the nation's first renewable portfolio standard (RPS) applied to investor-owned utilities in 1983. The goal of 105 megawatts was soon met, and was exceeded nearly 100 times over by the end of 2019. All electrical utility customers have had the option to support further expansion of renewable generation since 2004, and regulators have also taken steps to encourage greater efficiency of energy use. Iowa has produced more electricity than it has consumed since 2008. ^[4]

Ethanol

In 2022, Iowa was estimated to produce 4,500,000,000 U.S. gallons (1.7×10¹⁰ L) of ethanol per year, ^[5] a quarter of the national capacity. ^[4] As such, Iowa is the largest state by ethanol production capacity. ^[6] However, the state's production is nearing capacity for its 42 plants. ^[7]

Hydroelectric

According to National Hydropower Association, Iowa produces 980,000 MWh through conventional hydropower. ^[8] On the Mississippi River, Iowa has four hydroelectric plants. The largest is found in Keokuk. ^[4]

Hydroelectric dams were originally used for grinding grain in the 1830s. However, they are being dismantled for environmental purposes. ^[9]

Nuclear

Duane Arnold Energy Center is Iowa's only nuclear power plant and began decommissioning in 2020; as of 2024 ^[update] , they are considering reopening it to help power AI data center projects in Iowa. ^[10]

Solar power

Main article: Solar power in Iowa

Iowa produced 349 megawatts of solar power installed as of March 2022 ^[update] . ^[11] Rooftop solar panels alone can produce 20% of Iowa's energy. ^[12]

Wind power

Main article: Wind power in Iowa

Wind power makes up 62% of Iowa's electric production. ^[2]

See also

• List of power stations in Iowa

References

1. "Electricity Data Browser, Net generation for all sectors, Iowa, Fuel Type-Check all, Annual, 2001–21". Energy Information Administration. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
2. "U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis". U.S. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
3. "Iowa Electricity Profile". U.S. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
4. "Iowa Profile Analysis". Energy Information Administration . Retrieved December 17, 2023.
5. "Ethanol Industry in Iowa and the U.S." Iowa Farm Bureau. January 24, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
6. "U.S. ethanol production capacity by state 2022". Statista. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
7. Strong, Jared (January 10, 2023). "Iowa's ethanol production sets new record, group says". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
8. "Iowa". National Hydropower Association. October 10, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
9. Wu, Austin (September 4, 2022). "Water power". The Gazette. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
10. Jordan, Erin (July 27, 2024). "NextEra CEO says he'd 'consider' restarting Duane Arnold nuclear power plant". The Gazette. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
11. "Solar Energy". Iowa Environmental Council. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
12. Witkin, Jim (October 30, 2009). "Report Argues for a Decentralized System of Renewable Power Generation". New York Times . Retrieved December 29, 2025.