DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — MidAmerican Energy says a wind turbine being built in southern Iowa will be the nation’s tallest. The Des Moines Register reports the utility is building the turbine in Adams County as part of a 64-turbine development that should be completed by the end of the year.

Unlike regular towers built of steel, the taller tower will be concrete. The tower will rise to 377 feet, compared to a typical 263 feet, and when the blade is added the height will reach 554 feet. That’s nearly as tall as the Washington Monument.

Mike Gehringer, MidAmerican’s vice president of renewable energy, says by building the tower higher, the turbine can generate more electricity. He says such towers could make some “low-to-medium wind resource areas” viable for wind energy.