Cooper Farms installs 3rd wind turbine

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Cooper Farms’ Cooked Meats location will begin installing a third wind turbine to further advance their sustainable energy efforts this month. The 1.5-megawatt wind turbine will provide an additional 25 percent of the Cooked Meats location’s electricity needs, bringing the total wind-power percentage to 75 percent.

Cooper Farms has long been committed to sustainability and environmental preservation.

“We want to do all we can to have the least environmental impact possible,” said Gary Cooper, COO. “It is important to us that we take these steps to preserve our natural resources as the opportunities arise.”

Cooper Farms currently has two 1.5-megawatt turbines at this location, which came online in the first part of 2012. The two turbines provide approximately 50 percent of the company’s power needs over the course of a year.

“The growth of our Van Wert location has enticed us to add this third turbine,” said Jim Cooper, the company’s CEO. “It is just the right move for our company and the environment.”

When installation of the first two turbines began, they were able to provide 60 percent of the plant’s power needs. However, two new large pieces of equipment have recently been installed, increasing the location’s overall electricity usage. The plant was using 10 to 12 million kilowatts per year, which has now grown to approximately 15 million kilowatts per year.

With the first two windmills alone, Cooper Farms is the largest privately-owned generator of net- metered wind energy in Ohio at this time.

Cooper Farms will once again work with One Energy of Findlay, Ohio to complete installation of the turbine.

“We are honored to have been chosen to work with Cooper Farms as they expand their existing wind power,” said Jereme Kent, One Energy General Manager. “Our goal is to make wind simple, helping companies like Cooper Farms utilize its environmental and financial benefits. We are proud of our partnership and excited to get this new turbine installed and online.”

Cooper Farms and One Energy will make every effort to utilize local businesses for supplies and Ohioans for the work. Installation of the roadways and groundwork for the turbine will begin in August and installation will be complete by year end.

About Cooper Farms:

Growing healthy live turkeys, chickens, egg layers and hogs and producing great food products has been a tradition for the Cooper family of northwest Ohio for three generations. Founded in 1938 by Virgil and Virginia Cooper, Cooper Farms is still family owned and operated. Today, with the help of our team members, Cooper Farms is a leading food supplier, selling a variety of delicious fully cooked and ready- to-cook turkey, ham and chicken products to customers throughout North America. Visit www.cooperfarms.com or www.facebook.com/cooperfarms for more information.