Alliant Energy sells renewable energy services unit

Alliant Energy has reached agreement to sell its renewable energy services business, RMT, to the corporate parent of one of RMT's rivals.

Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives LLC of Chicago has agreed to acquire Madison, Wis.-based RMT Inc., an Alliant unit that provides engineering and construction services to connect renewable energy generation to the power network.

The value of the transaction was not disclosed.

Alliant said earlier this year that it had decided to sell RMT because it would be better served by an owner more aligned with RMT's engineering and construction business.

"We are pleased that we found a partner in IEA that offers a good fit for RMT and can move the business forward successfully," RMT Chairman and CEO Patricia Kampling said in prepared remarks.

Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives last year acquired White Construction. The Clinton, Ind.-based company is one of the nation's largest providers of renewable energy contractors.

Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives CEO Paul Daily said IEA will "leverage" the capabilities of IEA across its subsidiaries. He said the acquisition positions IEA for continued growth in North American renewable and infrastructure markets.

RMT's headquarters will remain in Madison, Wis., where Alliant is based.

Separately, Alliant announced that 60 new Vestas wind turbines totaling 100 megawatts of nameplate generating capacity were activated Tuesday at the company's Franklin County wind farm south of Mason City.

The added power capacity is not included in the company's utility rate base.