Iowa public power utility Cedar Falls Utilities is advancing plans to build a new energy center in Cedar Falls, it noted in a recent post on its website.
“The new Viking Energy Center will enable CFU to deliver the next generation of energy — sustainable, reliable and affordable — positioning us for a strong future,” it said.
The Viking Energy Center will take several years to construct.
Due to careful planning by the CFU Board of Trustees, “we are in a sound financial position to build the next generation of energy to support our community,” the utility noted.
Work has begun to procure the reciprocating engines that will generate electricity using natural gas. The engine’s design also enables future modifications to accommodate other alternative fuel sources.
By utilizing this specialized technology, the energy center will be equipped to ramp up or down quickly to meet demand and adjust to the renewable energy supply.
“Our community is fortunate to benefit from abundant wind energy in our region which is renewable and affordable. In 2024, 65% of the energy produced in the regional power market and distributed in Cedar Falls was generated from renewable resources,” the utility noted.
“Yet, it remains important to provide reliable, affordable energy even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.”
CFU said that it maintains “our traditional power plants and gas turbines to supplement the renewable energy on the market. Maintaining local generation helps keep rates low and the lights on. However, these assets are aging.”
As it looks to the future, CFU “will continue to need traditional generation to provide reliable, affordable energy when renewables are not available.”
