Madison, Wis., Aug. 5, 2009—MGE Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGEE) entered into agreements to purchase land development rights for two wind generation sites in northeast Iowa. The sites, located near Wellsburg and Hawkeye, could produce up to 175 megawatts of renewable energy.

The agreements include land options, wind data collection, engineering, licenses and government approvals required for future wind farm development. Although no immediate building plans are in place, the options will require the company to enter into easement agreements by Dec. 31, 2016. The agreements do not obligate MGE Energy to construct at these locations.

MGE Energy owns two wind farms, one each in Iowa and Wisconsin, and has contracts for power from independent wind farms in Wisconsin and Iowa. MGE's wind farm in Kewaunee County, Wis., was the largest commercial wind farm east of the Mississippi River when completed in 1999. The company's wind energy generating capacity currently totals 137 megawatts. MGE is a nationally recognized leader in the development of wind energy programs and receives over 10% of its energy from renewable resources.

MGE Energy is the parent company of Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) and its divisions, which serve natural gas and electric customers in south-central and western Wisconsin. MGE's roots in the Madison area date back more than 150 years.