MCPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson Board of Public Utilities expanded its commitment Wednesday to purchase Kansas wind energy from Westar Energy.

Last year alone, McPherson reported four expansion projects and one new business attraction success. The community of approximately 14,000 people boasts over 50 industrial businesses and over 8,500 industrial jobs. These electric-intensive industrial businesses have contributed to McPherson’s peak energy consumption of 158 MW this year, according to officials.

In 2016, McPherson was among five utilities to purchase wind energy from Kingman Wind Energy Center through contracts with Westar Energy. The agreements included full-service energy management. McPherson currently purchases 37 MW of wind energy from the Kingman wind farm.

Energy from Soldier Creek Wind Energy Center is available by contract to communities or through Westar Energy’s recently approved Renewables Direct tariff that enables businesses to commit to long-term purchases of Kansas wind energy at competitive prices.

In August, a Department of Energy report ranked Kansas No. 2 in the nation for the percentage of electricity generated from wind in 2017.