Whirlpool To Reach 100 Percent Renewable Electricity For US Plant Operations By 2023

Global kitchen and laundry company Whirlpool Corp. has announced that it has entered into a second wind Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Engie North America to accelerate progress towards its commitment to reach Net Zero emissions in its plants and operations by 2030. Whirlpool said that this agreement with Engie will represent 53 MW of clean and renewable wind energy over 12 years.

Whirlpool said that to meet its 2030 goals, the company is maximizing previous investments in onsite renewable energy and making energy-efficient upgrades across its manufacturing plants. Whirlpool is also investing in off-site renewable energy opportunities through Virtual PPAs 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.

Ron Voglewede, Director of Sustainability, Whirlpool, stated, “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. 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 this year, Whirlpool had joined the US Department of Energy’s ‘Better Climate Challenge’, targeting a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent within 10 years. Its also collaborating with the DOE and other organizations to cut carbon and save energy.

In March 2022, Whirlpool declared that in 2021 it drove a 27 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions globally for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions compared to a 2016 baseline. With regards to Scope 3 Category, it achieved 11 per cent emissions reduction.