Whirlpool Corporation will use wind energy to help power its manufacturing facility in Findlay, Ohio. The $18 million Findlay Wind Farm is financed by Findlay-based One Energy, which will also oversee construction of the project.
The wind farm will be comprised of five wind turbines erected on 70 acres, which One Energy has bought north of the Ball Corporation Findlay facility. Whirlpool will utilize two of the turbines, and the Ball Corporation will use three.
Whirlpool will buy all the energy from two of the turbines, receiving a fixed electrical rate for the next 20 years with zero upfront cost. The turbines are expected to offset an estimated 22 percent of the Whirlpool site's electric consumption once they become operational beginning in late 2015.
For each turbine, Whirlpool will create one $5,000 Megawatt Scholarship to be awarded each year the turbine is in operation. Two scholarships (one per turbine) will be awarded annually to a graduating high school senior from the local school districts. Eligible students will be those seeking a two or four year technical degree in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at an accredited college.
