OTTAWA — The Whirlpool Corp. broke ground on a wind turbine project Wednesday at its manufacturing plant in Ottawa, an initiative officials say will reduce the facility’s energy consumption while creating tax revenue and scholarship opportunities for local residents.
The $3.5 million “Wind for Industry” project, which is financed entirely by One Energy, will offset more than 30 percent of the plant’s electricity consumption. The wind turbine will generate enough electricity to power 300 to 400 average homes, according to One Energy.
In exchange for financing the project, Whirlpool has made a 20-year commitment to One Energy to purchase power generated by the turbine.
“To us, this is a symbol of future opportunities,” said Jennifer Hanna, plant lead at Ottawa Whirlpool. “When you can control a portion of your cost that enables you to be more competitive in a tough industry, it helps us. The turbine is a symbol of the many possibilities yet to come for the Whirlpool team in Ottawa and the community.”
Beyond the money-saving and energy-reducing benefits of the project, the wind turbine will also generate $9,000 in annual property tax revenue.
In addition, Whirlpool is creating one $5,000 scholarship that will be awarded each year the turbine is in operation. This scholarship is available to local high school graduates pursuing a two- or four-year degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
“This wind turbine is more than a technical or sustainability project,” Hanna said. “We’re investing in our community.”
The construction aspect of the project is also impacting the local community. Jereme Kent, general manager of One Energy, said the rocks that were imported to the construction site came from a local quarry, and the concrete that will be used for the project is produced locally.
“We take great pride in the secondary benefits of our projects that include things like the scholarships and the community investment,” Kent said.
Ottawa Mayor Dean Meyer said he was appreciative of the community investment by Whirlpool and One Energy.
“This shows a commitment to the village of Ottawa,” Meyer said. “As a resident of Ottawa, that makes me feel good that we’re going to have this industry here for at least 20 years, and hopefully longer than that.”
Construction of the wind turbine is expected to be completed in early 2017.
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