WILLIAMS TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- During a news conference Tuesday, Dow Corning announced it has signed a one-year deal with Consumers Energy to buy wind energy to power its corporate center and Auburn site.

By using Consumer’s Green Generation Program, the Bay County-headquartered corporation will become one of the largest purchasers of green energy in Michigan.

Nearly 1,100 employees’ computers, overhead lights and appliances will come from 14,000 mega watt hours’ worth of renewable wind generation over the next year.

Currently, the John Deere wind farm in the Thumb generates 68 mega watts of power.

The program began in January and Dow Corning has even gone so far as replacing most of its building lights with high-efficiency bulbs.

“We’re always willing to try different approaches and try new things to invent the future,” said Marie Eckstein, a Dow Corning vice president. “We’re using wind energy to make new inventions for solar energy.”

Experts said the move would prevent 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide from emitting into the atmosphere.

In the future, Dow Corning hopes to add a solar array -- in conjunction to wind energy -- to power its corporate center solely on alternative energies.

Consumers Energy said it currently has 13,000 customers using wind power, including 100 corporations like Dow Corning, Wolverine Worldwide and the city of Grand Rapids.

Consumers said it expects its wind generating capacity to double by 2015.