Enel Green Power has started construction on the Diamond Vista 300 megawatt wind farm in Marion and Dickinson counties in Kansas.
“The start of construction of Diamond Vista, which follows a record year of growth in 2017 for Enel Green Power in the U.S., sends a strong message about our ability to deliver on the company’s commitment to further strengthen its renewable leadership,” said Antonio Cammisecra, head of Enel’s global Renewable Energies Division.
Power generated by Diamond Vista will be sold under three long-term power purchase agreements. Power from this wind farm will be sold to Kohler Co., City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri and Tri-County Electric Cooperative.
Kohler Co. will purchase 100 MW to power 100 percent of the annual electricity needed for its U.S. and Canadian operations.
“We are pleased to partner with the Diamond Vista Wind Project to play a leading role in reducing fossil fuel usage to power the U.S. electrical grid,” said Rob Zimmerman, director of sustainability at Kohler Co. “This project is one component of a comprehensive strategy Kohler created to achieve its overall goal of being ‘Net Zero’ in greenhouse gas emission by 2035.”
According to Kohler its 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 equaling the company’s total annual electricity needs for its 85 manufacturing facilities, office and warehouse.
Diamond Vista is Enel Green Power’s sixth wind farm in Kansas. Enel Green Power acquired the Diamond Vista project from its long-term strategic development partner, Tradewind Energy. When Diamond Vista starts generating power the company’s overall capacity in the state will reach 1.4 gigawatts.
The project is expected to enter into service by the end of 2018.
Doug Rich can be reached by phone at 785-749-5304 or by email at [email protected].
