Google invests $75 million into 50mW wind farm, total renewable energy investment stands at nearly $1 billion

Google have just announced that they're investing $75 million into a 50mW wind farm in Rippey, which is around an hour outside of Des Moines. This latest investment sees the Mountain View-based company's total investment into renewable energy at "more than $990 million", edging close to that magical $1 billion mark.

The Rippey-based project is being done by RPM access, who are estimated to produce enough energy to power over 15,000 Iowa homes thanks to the turbines produced in Nordex USA. Google reiterate that both company's are based in the US, enforcing that Google are also an American company. Google are pushing for renewable energy in Iowa as they have a data center in Council Bluffs, and have been pumping money into the area since they opened the data center five years ago:

In 2007, we announced plans to construct a data center in Council Bluffs. Then in the spring of 2012, we announced that we would be building a second facility. Over time, we've invested over $900 million and have established a long-term commitment to the region and state. We've created over 130 jobs on site so far, and we work hard to support the communities in which our employees live and work.

Since 2008, we've awarded more than $608,000 to local schools and nonprofits. Additionally, in October 2011, we partnered with the City of Council Bluffs to launch a free Wi-Fi Network for anyone in and around three Council Bluffs areas: Downtown Council Bluffs, Mid America Center, and the Harvey Recreational Complex.