CFU Customers Benefit from Abundant Renewable Energy

Sixty-one percent of the energy produced in the regional power market and distributed in Cedar Falls in 2025 was generated from renewable resources.

Even though you may not see wind turbines or large-scale solar located in our community, CFU has invested in local infrastructure and joint owned transmission projects so we can access energy generated across the state, including from wind and solar.

Most of the electricity used in Cedar Falls is purchased through a regional energy market. The energy generated by nearly all of the wind turbines, solar panels and fossil fuel plants in Iowa flows into the power market pool daily.  

Our local Streeter Station power plant, natural gas turbines, solar array and our share of large power plants in western Iowa all generate energy that flows into the regional energy market pool.

Utilities like CFU also purchase energy out of the pool to meet their communities' daily electric needs. Today, that energy is largely renewable. 

Maximize Renewable Energy Use and Provide Reliable, Affordable Power

While we welcome more renewable energy in the market, it remains important to provide reliable, affordable energy even when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing.

Traditional generation from fuel-dependent plants remains a key component in today's energy market and provides reliable, affordable energy when renewables are not available.

We maintain our traditional power plants and gas turbines to supplement the renewable energy on the market. However, our local power plants are over 50 years old.

At Cedar Falls Utilities, we take a long-term approach to planning for the community we all share. That forward-thinking mindset is guiding the development of the Viking Energy Center, a project designed to support our community's energy needs for decades to come.

As our local facilities age, replacing them with modern, efficient generation will allow us to maximize the use of the region's renewable energy supply and continue delivering the reliable and affordable power our customers expect. 

To learn more about the Viking Energy Center and follow progress as planning, construction and other key milestones move forward, visit cfu.net/generation.