Distributed wind developer United Wind has signed an agreement with Smithfield Foods Inc. to power dozens of Smithfield hog farms in Colorado with on-site wind energy.
The partnership, involving more than 50 distributed wind turbines totaling 3 MW, will contribute to the global food company’s goal to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 25% by 2025.
United Wind’s WindLease provides farms and other rural businesses with a distributed wind system, sized to meet each customer’s on-site load and priced at a fixed monthly rate for a 20-year lease term. United Wind handles all aspects of the project – from permitting and construction to monitoring and maintenance – with no upfront or ongoing project-related costs, the company says.
“At Smithfield, we are committed to seeking out innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact, all while creating value for our company and stakeholders,” says Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods. “This partnership with United Wind is part of our efforts to produce the food needed to feed a growing world population, while minimizing our use of natural resources.”
“We’re excited to bring competitive distributed wind energy options to food and agricultural companies like Smithfield in wind-rich environments throughout rural areas of the country,” adds Russell Tencer, CEO of United Wind. “The economics and land-use attributes of distributed wind just make more sense in the areas we serve.”
Since its founding in 2013, United Wind has developed, financed and commissioned more than 100 distributed wind projects ranging from 10 kW to 100 kW in rated capacity throughout western New York and the Midwest.
United Wind still peddling a bogus company and product offering, customers should be wary of dodgy practices and lack of real leadership…
Yes, I thought these “small wind” installs were generally pretty expensive per kWh.
Not only that, but they go through employees like a revolving door, surprised the CEO is still there…