Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is planning on installing two Vestas-supplied wind turbines to supply electricity to its Kansas-based campus. The wind turbines will commence operations beginning June.

Through this project, the university estimates savings on energy bills from $600,000 to $1 million. And the approximate cost for the installation of the wind turbines is projected around $8.8 million to $9 million.

"We have been working on this project for six years, from the first discussions through several twists and turns, but we never gave up because we knew it was the right thing to do," Dr. Edward H. Hammond, president, FHSU campus, said.

FHSU's project is Vestas' sixth project in the state and the 12th educational institution in the country, which has installed its wind turbines.

For this project, the company is supplying one of their newest models, called the V100-2.0 MW VCSS, the first one to be installed in North America.

Meanwhile, the university is finalizing an agreement with the PNE Corporation, Longview, Wash., for turbine installation.

The turbines, measuring 400 feet high at the tip of the blade, will be installed outside the three-mile limit of the city due to a regulation that prohibits turbines of this height within the city borders. However, FHSU students can surely catch a glimpse of the turbines from their campus.

University officials will monitor and control the electricity production to meet the campus requirements.

On the other hand, FHSU is planning to introduce an education program based on renewable energy for its students.