Building Industry Magazine - February 2013 - (Page 57)
The Auwahi
Wind project
is located on
the southeast
ridge of Maui’s
Haleakala
volcano on
Ulupalakua
Ranch lands.
Auwahi Wind
Cranks Up
Sempra U.S. Gas & Power and
BP Wind Energy announced the
full commercial operation of the
21 megawatt (MW) Auwahi
Wind facility. The power project
includes eight new wind turbines
on the southeast ridge of Maui’s
Haleakala volcano.
“We are very pleased to complete construction of Auwahi
Wind both on time and on
budget,” said Jeffrey W. Martin,
president and CEO of Sempra U.S.
Gas & Power. “This project could
not have been built without the
enthusiastic support of the local
community, the Ulupalakua Ranch
and neighbors who recognize the
importance of sustainable energy.”
The power from Auwahi Wind
has been sold to Maui Electric
Company (MECO) under a 20-year
contract. The turbines will generate enough clean electricity to
power about 10,000 typical Maui
homes. An important component
of the project is a 10 MW battery
capable of storing 4.4 megawatthours of power. Energy from the
battery will help regulate and
sustain power to the MECO grid
during light wind conditions.
Construction of the wind farm
on Ulupalakua Ranch began in
March 2012, and involved more
than 180 workers. Auwahi Wind will
employ four full-time employees.
www.buildingindustryhawaii.com | 57
http://www.buildingindustryhawaii.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - February 2013