LafargeHolcim announced plans to build three wind turbines to help power its cement plant in Paulding, Ohio. Adding the turbines is part of the company’s commitment to improving manufacturing operations, controlling costs and operating sustainably.
“Distributed wind energy is a first for LafargeHolcim in North America and something we’re excited to leverage,” said Jamie M. Gentoso, CEO of U.S. 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.”
Construction on the turbines will begin in December 2018, in partnership with One Energy. The three Paulding turbines are expected to generate more than 12 million kWh annually, enough to power approximately 1,200 average households for an entire year based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and should eliminate the equivalent of more than 9,000 annual tons of CO2.
“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 $5,000 Megawatt Scholarships (one per turbine for a total of $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 $27,000 annually in local property taxes.
