LafargeHolcim Paulding harnesses wind power
LafargeHolcim's Paulding plant has become the group's first cement plant in North America to harness wind power.
"Distributed wind energy is a first for LafargeHolcim in North America and something we're excited to leverage," said Jamie M Gentoso, CEO of US Cement operations. "The Paulding cement plant has been an anchor of this region for decades, producing high-quality cement and mineral components for our nation’s highways, roads, airports and national landmarks. Investing in new ways to operate our plants that provide a benefit for the environment is very important to us and the communities where we work."
The turbines will begin construction in December 2018 and will be built in partnership with One Energy. The three Paulding turbines are expected to generate more than 12mkWh annually, enough to power approximately 1200 average households for an entire year based on the US Energy Information Administration and should eliminate the equivalent of more than 9000tpa of CO2, claims LafargeHolcim.
"It's great to partner with the LafargeHolcim as they enhance their environmental footprint with this clean, inexhaustible fuel source," said Jereme Kent, CEO and general manager of One Energy. "Ohio is one of three states that led the United States last year in new distributed wind capacity installed, and in the Ohio valley, the use of wind energy is well accepted."
To contribute to the continued success of the community surrounding the Paulding plant, LafargeHolcim will create three US$5000 MegaWatt scholarships (one per turbine for a total of US$15,000 annually) to be awarded each year the turbines are in operation. The MegaWatt Scholarships will be awarded annually to local high school graduates pursuing a two-year or four-year STEM degree. Additionally, One Energy will pay US$27,000 annually in local property taxes.
