Sergeant Bluff, Iowa – August 26, 2025
Sandhills Energy is commencing construction on a 600-kilowatt (0.6 MW) solar installation in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. As a member community of the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN), the City of Sergeant Bluff and its Municipal Utilities are taking a practical step toward a more sustainable and locally powered future.
“From day one, the city of Sergeant Bluff has been an exceptional partner,” says Sandhills Energy Executive Vice President Raki Giannakouros. “It’s always great to work with a city that’s committed to progress and sustainability, and the City of Sergeant Bluff has already displayed great community leadership and public engagement.”
Moving Toward Energy Independence
Sergeant Bluff has long recognized the importance of renewable energy and was proactive in joining MEAN’s multi-community solar initiative. By embracing this opportunity early on, the City of Sergeant Bluff played a key role in promoting the project within the community, ensuring residents understood the long-term benefits of affordable, reliable, and locally sourced solar power.
“The City has been working since 2019 to get a solar park project developed in the community,” says Mayor Jon Winkel. “By partnering with MEAN and Sandhills Energy, we’ve positioned our community at the forefront of renewable energy adoption, so we’re able to secure a competitive energy rate for our residents while also building an incentive to support future development.”
Community Support
With one of the fastest-growing populations in the state on a percentage basis, the City of Sergeant Bluff is focused on meeting the community’s evolving needs. “We want to ensure a cleaner and more resilient future for our residents,” says Winkel. Communities like Sergeant Bluff have proven to be ideal candidates for utility-scale solar projects. “As a whole, the state of Iowa has been progressive with its adoption of renewable energy,” says Giannakouros. “What we’ve seen in working with the City of Sergeant Bluff is a forward-thinking group of people, all of whom are looking to strengthen this community now and into the foreseeable future.”
The MEAN Portfolio
Sandhills Energy and MEAN kicked off the 15-site portfolio of solar installations June 2024 with groundbreakings in Alliance, NE and Sidney, NE, with additional groundbreakings in Indianola, IA, and Waverly, IA, in October 2024 with more coming soon. Many of these now energized member communities are receiving up to 5% of their energy usage from the local municipality.
Colorado: Delta, Fort Morgan, Wray, and Yuma
Iowa: Denver, Indianola, Sergeant Bluff, and Waverly
Nebraska: Alliance, Ansley, Crete, Gering, Imperial, Pender, Sidney, and Stuart
USDA Support
The Iowa projects in the MEAN portfolio received nearly $7 million from the USDA’s Pace Program to help finance the construction of four solar facilities in Iowa. As part of the power purchase agreements, these four Iowa communities will benefit from low-cost solar energy and lasting energy independence. The 7.6 MW of power generated by these facilities will produce enough local electricity to power an estimated 1,233 households annually. USDA Pace Program funding has proven essential to provide these Midwest communities with access to clean, renewable energy.
About Sandhills Energy
Sandhills Energy is a renewable energy development company based in Nebraska and Iowa. Focused on commercial and utility generation, Sandhills Energy has extensive experience in project development, from identification to engineering, construction, and operations. Sandhills Energy provides renewable energy development at any scale. Sandhills is well-positioned to work closely with utilities, municipalities, and landowners to accelerate the growth of renewable energy adoption by utilities and farming communities.
About MEAN
Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska is based in Lincoln, Nebraska, and provides wholesale power supply and energy-related services to more than 60 participating communities in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
About the City of Sergeant Bluff
The City of Sergeant Bluff’s Municipal Utilities are dedicated to providing essential services that enhance the quality of life for its residents. With reliable access to electricity, water, sewer, and garbage collection, the city ensures a well-maintained and connected community.
Contact/Media Inquiries :
(402) 389-1668 or news@sandhillsenergy.com
1403 Harney Street, Suite 200
Omaha, NE 68102
