Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Wind power in Hawaii

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Wind power in Hawaii

Wind power in Hawaii has the potential to provide all of the electricity used in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The 114 commercial wind turbines in the state have a total capacity of 206 MW. In 2013, they produced 5.1% of Hawaii's electricity. In 2012, Hawaii generated 367 million kWh from wind power.

Contents

Hawaii began research into wind power in the mid-1980s with a 340 kW turbine on Maui, and the 2.3MW Lalamilo Wells wind farm on Oahu and the 9MW Kamaoa wind farm on the Big Island of Hawaii . The MOD-5B, a 3.2MW wind turbine, on Oahu was the largest in the world in 1987. These early examples were all out of service by 2010.

Notable projects

  • Auwahi Wind Farm, 21 MW
  • Kaheawa Wind Power, 51 MW
  • Kahuku Wind Farm, 30 MW
  • Kawailoa Wind Farm, 69 MW
  • Hawi Wind Farm, 10.6 MW
  • Pakini Nui Wind Farm, 21 MW

    • Future projects

  • Na Pua Makani Wind Farm, 24 MW, expected completion by early 2016
  • Lalamilo Wind Farm, 3.3 MW, expected completion in 2016, five new windmills will replace the old 120-windmill 2.3MW wind farm

    • Former wind farms

  • Kamaoa Wind Farm, 9.3 MW, in use 1987-2006
  • Lalamilo Wind Farm, 2.3 MW, in use 1986-2010

    • Potential

    Hawaii has the potential to install 3,000 MW of wind power, capable of generating 12,000 million kWh/year with 80 meter hub heights operating at 30% capacity factor or more. Hawaii used 9,962 million kWh in 2011, so Hawaii has the potential to generate all electricity used in the state from wind and solar power, with 15,000 million kWh/year from concentrated solar power plants. In addition, Hawaii has the potential to generate 2,800,000 million kWh/year from offshore wind power. Authorities approved feasibility in 2016 for 3 companies looking at floating wind turbines up to 400 MW.

    References

    Wind power in Hawaii Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA