Italian electricity company Enel has commenced construction of the Diamond Vista windfarm in Marion and Dickinson Counties, Kansas, through its US-based renewable energy company Enel Green Power North America (EGPNA).

The Diamond Vista windfarm has attracted investments of almost $400m and has a production capacity of nearly 300MW.

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The investment in the project is said to be part of Enel Group’s current strategic plan.

Upon completion, the Italian electricity firm will become the largest wind operator in Kansas with approximately 1,400MW of operational wind energy.

“This project confirms us as a partner of choice for customers who, like Enel, are committed to advancing a sustainable energy future.”

Enel Green Power head Antonio Cammisecra said: “The start of construction of Diamond Vista, which follows a record year of growth in 2017 for Enel Green Power in the US, sends a strong message about our ability to deliver on the company’s commitment to further strengthen its renewable leadership.

“Furthermore, this project confirms us as a partner of choice for customers who, like Enel, are committed to advancing a sustainable energy future. We are proud to be able to support their renewable goals through a cost-effective energy supply.”

The windfarm project is expected to commence operations by the end of this year and, once fully operational, Diamond Vista windfarm is expected to generate nearly 1,300GWh on an annual basis.

US-based plumbing products retailer Kohler is said to have signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Enel, under which power and renewable energy credits from a 100MW portion of Diamond Vista will be sold to the plumbing manufacturer.

The Diamond Vista windfarm will be supplying power to Kohler’s 85 manufacturing facilities, offices and warehouses located in the US and Canada.

Through the new initiative, Kohler intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25%.

Enel has also signed two PPA’s with City Utilities of Springfield and Tri-County Electric in Oklahoma, in which the company agreed to sell power and renewable energy credits from another 100MW to City Utilities, and supply 84MW to Oklahoma’s Tri-County Electric.