Alliant Energy gets OK to build second power plant in Marshalltown

Alliant Energy has been approved to build a 720-megawatt power plant in Marshalltown.

Bobcat Energy Center will sit adjacent to Alliant’s existing Marshalltown Generating Station, which produces 650 megawatts of energy. Construction of the new plant is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026.

The Iowa Utilities Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved Alliant’s request for a Certificate of Public Convenience, Use and Necessity, which was required to build the natural gas-fired combustion turbine facility.

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In a statement, Mayuri Farlinger, president of Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company and vice president of energy delivery, said building the Bobcat Energy Center will position the region for “growth and energy security for years to come.”

“Unanimous siting approval reinforces our commitment to delivering reliable, cost-effective energy while strengthening the communities we serve,” said Farlinger stated.

The company plans for the facility to be operational in 2029.

Once operational, Alliant said the Bobcat Energy Center will serve as a “flexible resource,” that will activate as needed during peak energy demands.

The facility will be able to start and reach its full load in less than 15 minutes, Alliant stated, adding that its placement near the Marshalltown Generating Station will allow the two plans to work together to “provide dependable, consistent energy for customers.”

According to a filing to Iowa regulators, Interstate Power and Light — Alliant’s parent company — estimates the facility will run between 500 to 2,000 hours each year, with half its operations running in the summer and the other half spread out between fall, winter and spring.

The filing also states that at a maximum, about 360 jobs would be created for the facility’s construction. Once operational, the document states that the facility would support one permanent, non-IPL job in Marshall County and one permanent job for the State of Iowa.

The new facility is another step Alliant is taking to advance its Energy Blueprint, which plans to diversify the company’s energy sources by incorporating solar, hydropower, coal and energy storage into its energy portfolio.

Alliant said that adding more natural gas generation across the company’s service territory is a “key” aspect of the blueprint.

“As energy demand grows and technology evolves, the company is leading the way with a balanced strategy that combines traditional resources with renewable energy and battery storage solutions,” the statement said. “This all-of-the-above approach ensures reliable service for customers and positions the communities it serves for economic growth.”

John Hall, president and CEO of the Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce, said the facility shows “great momentum” for Marshalltown. He pointed to the economic development, new jobs and tax revenue the Bobcat Energy Center will bring.

“Real growth begins with reliable, consistent access to energy,” Hall stated.

Olivia Cohen covers energy and environment for The Gazette and is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.

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Comments: olivia.cohen@thegazette.com