Kohler Company aims to invest in Wind Power

Kohler Company asserted a 15-year agreement to purchase 100 MW of Wind Power annually from the Diamond Vista wind farm located near Salina, Kansas.

Enel Green Power North America to construct the project this year and will set to be the long-term owner and operator of the 300 MW wind project. Enel acquired Diamond Vista from Kansas-based renewable energy developer Tradewind Energy.

Rob Zimmerman, Director of Sustainability at Kohler Co said “This project is one component of a comprehensive strategy Kohler has created to achieve its overall goal of being ‘Net Zero’ in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.  In addition to this investment, we will continue to drive energy efficiency in our manufacturing processes, buildings, and truck fleet; install onsite renewable energy projects; test and implement new manufacturing technologies; and develop new products and materials that require less energy to make.”

The project is anticipated to commence operations by the end of 2018. In selecting the project,  Kohler evaluated the power generation needed to compensate for its annual kilowatt hour consumption and the financial and environmental benefits of making this type of renewable energy investment.

It is to be noted that Kohler’s share of the expected generated power from Diamond Vista will be enough to power nearly 40,000 homes. When the project comes online, Kohler’s share will be sold to the wholesale electric market, with the company receiving renewable energy credits (RECs) equaling the company’s total annual electricity needs for its 85 manufacturing facilities, offices and warehouses in the U.S. and Canada.  The project will lessen Kohler’s greenhouse gas emissions footprint by 26%.