Whirlpool Corporation to reach 100 percent renewable electricity for U.S. plant operations

Sep 19, 2022 | Social and Environmental Impact

Whirlpool Corp infographic indicating Whirlpool Corporation’s second Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) will represent 53 megawatts of clean, renewable wind energy over 12 years. This clean energy is equivalent to: providing electricity to 27,662 homes for one year, or removing 30,633 gasoline-powered vehicles from the roads each year, or displacing 142,169 metric tons of CO2-equivalent from the ERCOT electricity grid each year, or displacing 329,151 barrels of oil consumed each year.

Whirlpool Corp. announced that it has entered into a second wind Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) to accelerate progress towards its commitment to reach Net Zero (scopes 1 and 2) emissions in its plants and operations by 2030. This latest agreement with ENGIE North America will represent 53 megawatts of clean, renewable wind energy over 12 years, equivalent to:

  • Removing 30,633 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles from the roads each year, or
  • displacing 329,151 barrels of oil consumed each year, or
  • providing 27,662 homes’ electricity use for one year.*

Building on our long history of improved environmental performance, Whirlpool Corporation is accelerating our commitment to sustainable operations through investments like these VPPA agreements in off-site renewable energy, manufacturing plant retrofits, and ongoing energy, water, and waste reduction projects.”

To meet its 2030 goals, Whirlpool Corp. is maximizing previous investments in onsite renewable energy and making energy-efficient upgrades across its manufacturing plants while also investing in off site renewable energy opportunities through Virtual Power Purchase Agreements that provide clean, renewable energy to the grid for its consumers.

“Building on our long history of improved environmental performance, Whirlpool Corporation is accelerating our commitment to sustainable operations through investments like these VPPA agreements in off-site renewable energy, manufacturing plant retrofits, and ongoing energy, water, and waste reduction projects,” said Sr. VP of Corporate Relations and Sustainability Pam Klyn.

“This project is an important part of our ongoing sustainability initiatives, adding clean, renewable energy to the electrical grid while helping to reduce the company’s carbon footprint,” said Whirlpool Corp. Director of Sustainability Ron Voglewede. “When this VPPA with ENGIE becomes fully operational in 2023, we expect to offset 100 percent of our U.S. plant electricity emissions.”

In February of 2022, Whirlpool Corp. joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Climate Challenge, targeting a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent within 10 years and collaborating with the DOE and other organizations to cut carbon and save energy. To address this challenge, Whirlpool Corp. continues to invest in sustainable operations as aligned with its overall ESG strategy and Climate Transition Plan.

*Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator | U.S. EPA.