PROJECT SUMMARY

In July 2010, the Department of Energy issued a $117 million loan guarantee to finance Kahuku, a 30-MW wind power generation project. Located in Kahuku, Hawaii, this project incorporates wind power into the state’s island-based, relatively small power grid.

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

Kahuku employs the combination of Clipper LibertyTM wind turbine generators and a control system to more efficiently integrate wind power with the utility’s power grid.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Kahuku created 200 construction jobs and is expected to support 6 permanent jobs.

CLIMATE BENEFIT

Kahuku is expected to generate 70,000 megawatt-hours of clean energy each year. It is expected to prevent 39,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

 

PROJECT STATISTICS: KAHUKU

PROJECT SUMMARY

OwnerFirst Wind
Location

Kahuku, HawaiI

FINANCIAL SUMMARYLoan ProgramTitle XVII
Loan TypeLoan Guarantee
Loan Amount 1$117 Million
Issuance Date 2July 2010
ENERGY SUMMARYOperation StatusOperating
Generation Capacity30 MW
Projected Annual Generation 370,000 MWh
ECONOMIC IMPACTPermanent U.S. Jobs Supported6
U.S. Construction Jobs Supported 4200
CLIMATE BENEFITCO2 Emissions Prevented Annually39,000 Metric Tons
NOTES

All information up-to-date as of June 2017.

1 Approximate amount of the loan facility approved at closing including principal and any capitalized interest.

2 Loan fully repaid in February 2015.

3 Calculated using the project's and NREL Technology specific capacity factors. For cases in which NREL's capacity factors do not encompass project's specific design and operation, project specific capacity factors are used.

4 Estimated at the time of closing.

 

PROJECT PHOTOS