Leading home appliance manufacturer Whirlpool announced today that it will source sufficient renewable energy for 100% of electricity for its U.S. plant operations, following its entry into its second wind Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA).

Whirlpool announced its first VPPA earlier this year with Clearway Energy, sourcing power from the energy provider’s 340 megawatt “Mesquite Sky” wind farm in Callahan County, Texas. The new VPPA, with energy provider Engie, will represent 53 MW of renewable energy, equivalent to removing 30,000 passenger vehicles from roads each year, and sufficient to provide electricity to over 27,000 homes. The VPPA with Engie becomes fully operational in 2023.

Ron Voglewede, Director of Sustainability at Whirlpool, said:

“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.”

According to Whirlpool, the new agreement will help accelerate the company’s progress towards its 2030 net zero goals. Whirlpool announced its 2030 commitment last year, pledging to reach net zero across more than 30 manufacturing sites and distribution centers around the world, spanning all direct (Scope 1) and power-related (Scope 2) emissions.

Initiatives outlined by Whirlpool to reach its goal included working towards 100% renewable energy usage through wind and solar panel installations and Power Purchase Agreements that fund wind and solar farms, as well as energy efficiency programs at the company’s plants and facilities, and offsets for remaining emissions that can’t be avoided.

Pam Klyn, Sr. VP of Corporate Relations and Sustainability at Whirlpool, said:

“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.”