Environmental study completed for Hawaii’s largest wind energy plant

Hawaii’s largest wind power project is set to be built on Oahu now that a study of its environmental impact has been completed. Boston-based First Wind LLC plans to build the proposed 70-megawatt wind energy project on former sugarcane land on Oahu’s North Shore, generating enough power for 14,500 homes.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Friday that construction of the Kawailoa Wind Farm is scheduled to begin later this year, and it could begin producing power next year. The additional wind power production would significantly expand the state’s wind energy output, which currently consists of 112 megawatts of generating capacity on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.

North Shore Neighborhood Board member Carol Philips says the project drew little criticism from the community besides concerns about the size of wind turbines.

www.firstwind.com