Both of the companies that want to use the wind to generate 20 megawatts of electric power on Maui are still in the running to lease state land for the project. Wind farm OK’d
on conservation landTwo firms are in the running
for a power project on MauiBy Diana Leone
dleone@starbulletin.comThe Board of Land & Natural Resources decided yesterday that 27 to 33 wind turbines would be acceptable use of state conservation land at Ukumehame, whether by Hawaii Wind Energy or GE Wind Energy.
Next, the board has to decide which of the two competing companies it will actually give the lease.
GE Wind Energy representative David Kirkpatrick said his company has data about the wind in the area, financing approved for the project and could have the turbines up and running in a year. GE Wind is partnering on the project with Hawi Renewable Development Inc., of Chico, Calif., and is seeking a power purchasing agreement with Maui Electric Co., he said.
Wind Energy assumed the assets of Enron Wind, which formerly owned Zond Pacific, Kirkpatrick explained. Zond Pacific obtained Land Board approval for a wind farm on the same land in 2000, but lost its permit by not starting construction within a year.
Hawaii Wind Energy Chief Executive Officer Brian Hayashida said his company is partnering with Global Renewable Energy Partners, which has offices in La Jolla, Calif., Europe and Asia.
Hayashida said although the company has not done wind studies at the site, it plans to do them, and when they are done it can obtain financing. He said his company also is talking with MECO about selling it wind power.
State Board of Land and Natural Resources
Hawaii Wind Energy
GE Wind Energy