Hair-care manufacturer Zotos International Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido Co. Ltd. that manufactures hair-care and styling-aid products under the Zotos, JOICO, ISO, and Senscience brand names, celebrated the official groundbreaking last week of its $7 million, 3.3 MW on-site wind power project at its manufacturing plant in Geneva, N.Y.
"The City of Geneva is proud to support Zotos' wind-energy project," Geneva Mayor Stu Einstein said. "Our community is a strong proponent of renewable energy and understands the critical role it plays in today's global economy. Hopefully, our city's support of the Zotos wind project will pave the way for additional renewable energy investments in Geneva, Ontario County, across the state and nationwide."
Last year's federal stimulus bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is covering 30% of the wind projects costs. With this assistance, Zotos expects to see a return on investment in less than five years.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, Zotos' project is the largest wind project of any manufacturing company in the United States. The two-turbine project is also the first wind project in Ontario County and the largest private industrial wind plan in New York State. The project is comprised of two, 1,650 kW wind turbines that will generate approximately 7,500 mWh of renewable energy every year.
The company is investing in wind power as part of a sustainability initiative aimed at powering its 670,000-square-foot plant with 100% renewable energy by the end of 2011.
