Kohler purchases wind power from U.S. farm as part of Net Zero strategy

Enel Green Power’s Red Dirt wind farm in Oklahoma, which will utilize the same turbines as the Diamond Vista wind project. Photo: Enel Green Power.

Kohler has entered a 15-year agreement to purchase 100 megawatts of wind power per year from the Diamond Vista wind farm located near Salina, KS.

The electricity will be equal to Kohler’s total U.S. and Canadian annual demand. Renewable energy credits from the project aim to reduce the company’s global greenhouse gas emissions by 26 per cent.

“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,” said Rob Zimmerman, director of sustainability at Kohler.

Kohler also plans to increase energy efficiency in its manufacturing processes, buildings and truck fleet. It aims to install onsite renewable energy projects, test and implement new manufacturing technologies and develop new products and materials that require less energy to make.

Enel Green Power North America, the project’s long-term owner-operator, will construct the nearly 300-megawatt wind farm this year. Enel acquired Diamond Vista from Kansas-based renewable energy developer Tradewind Energy.

Wind farm operations are expected to begin by the end of 2018. www.kohler.ca   www.enelgreenpower.com