Wal-Mart to purchase wind power

BENTONVILLE, ARK. -- — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has invested in a wind energy farm in Texas that will generate enough power to light 15% of its Texas operations.

The world’s largest retailer said Thursday that the Duke Energy Corp. farm was being built in Notrees, Texas, and was to start production in April. The retailer will purchase electricity directly from Duke’s Notrees Windpower Project, Duke said.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based discount retailer has 360 stores and other facilities in Texas.

Wal-Mart says it will pay traditional rates for the electricity, but doing so will decrease greenhouse gas emissions and will help the company reach its goal of using only renewable energy sources.