First wind completes 69MW wind project in Hawaii, commences operations

US-based wind energy developer First Wind has completed construction at its 69MW Kawailoa Wind project on Oahu’s North Shore in Honolulu, Hawaii and begun commercial operations.

The project, which is presently the largest wind energy project in Hawaii, has the capacity to cater to the energy requirements of about 14,500 homes on the island.

Kawailoa’s total output has the potential to power 5-10% of Oahu’s annual electrical demand and decrease burning of 300,000 barrels of oil a year.

First Wind CEO Paul Gaynor said that this project represents the company’s fourth project in Hawaii to achieve commercial operations over a six-year period.

"Now with our Kawailoa project online, First Wind’s combined projects on Oahu and Maui have the capacity to generate enough clean energy to serve over 40,000 businesses and homes in local communities throughout Hawaii," Gaynor added.

Kawailoa consists of 30 advanced Siemens turbines, the installation of which was monitored by RMT on the project site.

The Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) signed a power purchase agreement with First Wind, which was approved by Hawaii Public Utilities Commission in 2011.

Hawaiian Electric Company president and CEO Dick Rosenblum remarked, "Wind power is an important clean energy resource for Hawaii and one of the keys to breaking our dependence on imported oil."

The project progresses Hawaii’s state goals, where the law stipulates that electricity and surface transportation must utilize 70% clean energy by 2030, with 40% generated from local renewable sources.