This week's high winds in Iowa blew in a first for one electric utility.

MidAmerican Energy officials tell Des Moines television station KCCI that winds blew hard enough on October 23 and 24 for wind turbines to provide all the power needed to meet its customers' needs for the state.

MidAmerican spokeswoman Tina Hoffman says the utility's experts noted the wind was strong enough to produce the energy needed to power 670,000 electric customers in the state.

MidAmerican's goal is to eventually produce 100 percent of its power with renewable resources. The company is upgrading its old wind turbines and building new ones to help reach that goal.

Much of the state saw sustained winds around 25 mph and gusts of around 40 mph on Monday and Tuesday.

Des Moines Register | www.desmoinesregister.com