Hawaii PUC approves wind farm PPA

The wind farm will be constructed on Oahu’s North Shore.

Under the terms of the contract, Kahuku Wind Power, a subsidiary of Massachusetts-based First Wind, will sell as-available renewable energy to Hawaiian Electric at pre-determined prices over 20 years.

Located west of Kahuku town in the hills near Charlie Road, the wind energy project will consist of 12 Clipper Liberty 2.5 MW wind turbines.

Kahuku Wind Power will also include a battery energy storage system developed by Xtreme Power Inc.

The wind farm project will also include a microwave communication system to connect the wind energy project to the Hawaiian Electric system operations and dispatch center.

Construction of the wind farm is scheduled to begin later this year, and could produce around 80 GWh annually.

Robbie Alm, Hawaiian Electric Executive Vice President, says: “First Wind brings demonstrated wind farm experience to this project and we welcome the opportunity to work with them to help meet the state’s goals of 70% clean energy by 2030.”