WICHITA, Kan., April 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit
AeroSystems (NYSE: SPR) today announced that Kansas public utility regulators cleared a
path for the company's complete conversion to renewable
wind-generated electricity for its 12.8 million square-foot
Wichita, Kan., aerospace
manufacturing site starting this year.
Utility regulators at the Kansas Corporation Commission approved
a 10-year agreement filed jointly by the company and Evergy, Inc.
that provides an updated electric rate structure. In return, Spirit
has agreed to purchase Kansas
wind-generated electricity, continue investing in capital
improvements and make efforts to maintain stable or expanded
operations in Wichita.
"Kansas is known for wind, and
Spirit Wichita is known for building airplanes. The two will now be
directly connected in a way that helps both the environment and our
ability to compete," said Spirit AeroSystems Senior Vice President
for Operations and Chief Procurement Officer Ron Rabe. "This new agreement is important to
Spirit because it helps maintain the company as a vibrant and
growing contributor to the Kansas
economy. The new electric rates we will be paying address price
disadvantages for electric service Spirit has experienced in
Kansas compared to our operations
in other states."
The Wichita site, which also
serves as the company's headquarters, produces large structural
components, such as fuselages and engine nacelles for military and
commercial aircraft.
Beginning in late 2020, Spirit's Wichita site will receive its electricity from
the Flat Ridge 3 wind farm located near Kingman, Kan. The Flat Ridge 3 wind farm is
expected to generate about 130 MW of power once the project is
complete by the end of 2020.
About Spirit AeroSystems
Spirit AeroSystems designs
and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense
customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the
U.S., U.K., France and
Malaysia. The company's core
products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components
for the world's premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses
on affordable, innovative composite and aluminum
manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe. More
information is available at www.spiritaero.com.
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SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems