Wind Power News: Hawaii
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Zoning proposal could restrict Oahu wind farm installations
“The community of Kahuku has had serious concerns about the construction of windmills right behind homes, residences, farm dwellings, and schools,” said Tsuneyoshi, whose proposal would not affect the AES project. The resolution instructs the city Department of Planning and Permitting to amend the land use ordinance to require wind-power machines with capacity of more than 100 kilowatts to be set back at least 5 miles (8 kilometers) from their property lines. Complete story »
Native bat could crinkle Kahuku Wind Farm Project plans
A native bat could put a crinkle in a Kahuku Wind Farm Project. The Hawaii Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge against the habitat conservation plan for the Na Pua Makani wind project. The group called Keep the North Shore Country says the project could potentially kill or injure the opea’pea or Hawaiian Hoary Bat, as well as other endangered species. They believe Na Pua Makani is not doing enough to protect the species. They’re also contesting the . . . Complete story »
Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge from Kahuku wind farm opponents
Could a small bat derail some big plans for an Oahu wind farm? It’s the latest challenge to the controversial Na Pua Makani wind project in Kahuku. The endangered Hawaiian hoary bat or ‘ope’ape’a calls that area home, and some people are saying the wind farm developers – AES US Generation- don’t have a permit to move the bats. The Hawaii Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge against AES’s habitat conservation plan and Incidental Take License. The group, . . . Complete story »
Controversial Kahuku wind farm is built, what’s next?
All eight turbines in Na Pua Makani wind farm in Kahuku are built as construction and commissioning activities march forward. Hawaii State Senator Gil Riviere (D) tells KITV4 there is now a renewed political and legal charge to challenge the wind farm. “There’s three very real legal challenges that are pending on this case,” Senator Riviere stated. Keep the North Shore Country, a nonprofit with which Senator Riviere is involved appealed to the the City & County of Honolulu’s Department . . . Complete story »
In wake of wind farm fight, North Shore wants a louder voice in future projects
Eight newly-installed wind turbines of the Na Pua Makani wind farm are now up in Kahuku. The closest turbine is approximately 1,700 feet away from the nearest home, and about approximately 1,750 feet from Kahuku High School. Area-elected officials told Kahuku residents at a community meeting Wednesday night that there are new bills to greatly increase that distance for future wind turbines. “Everybody can tell they’re too big, too close,” said the area’s State Senator Gil Riviere. AES, the company . . . Complete story »
Hawaii’s push for renewable energy could stall over public opposition to facilities
Renewable energy projects also have spawned large demonstrations. In Kahuku, more than 160 people were arrested last year after staging protests of AES Corp.’s Na Pua Makani wind farm – a project being developed on state agriculture land despite longstanding opposition by residents. Renewable energy projects on Maui and the Big Island have been hindered by litigation. And the pushback comes as Hawaiian Electric is really just getting started. The utility has solicited bids from third parties to develop a massive array of projects. On Oahu alone, the company expects 20 to 29 contracts with private developers and a total investment of $2.5 billion to $4 billion, including land costs. Complete story »
Governor calls for more renewable energy development, including hydropower, offshore wind
Hawaii’s chief executive says, under current industry estimates, there is not enough land to cover the state’s energy needs solely using photovoltaic solar. But he sees promise in other options for the state to reach 100 percent renewable energy. In an interview with HPR this week, the second-term governor said there has been an acceleration of renewable energy projects coming online, and consumers are seeing savings. Ige has made pursuit of the state’s renewable energy goal one of his signature . . . Complete story »
Court: County cannot redefine ‘real property’
The Hawaii Supreme Court said Tuesday that Maui County did not have the power to include wind turbines as “real property” when it taxed major wind farms on Maui. The court upheld an earlier decision by the Tax Appeal Court that the county exceeded its authority under the Hawaii Constitution when it changed its rules to allow wind turbines to be assessed for real property taxes – shortly after an appeals court had decided that wind turbines should not count . . . Complete story »
Ewa wind farm seeking community input
As Hawaiian Electric Co. evaluates proposals for a new wave of renewable energy projects on Oahu, one bidder is laying the groundwork for a wind farm with up to 16 turbines on the island’s west side, even before it gets a final nod from HECO. Eurus Energy America Corp. seemed to have a deal with HECO to develop a big wind farm on the eastern slope of the Waianae Range, on property owned by Gill Ewa Lands. But Hawaii regulators delayed the . . . Complete story »
Molokai, Lanai renewable energy bids solicited
Molokai will have 78 percent of its power supplied by renewable sources and Lanai 55 to 61 percent by 2023 under a procurement process started by Maui Electric Co. The Public Utilities Commission on Monday approved the utility’s plan to issue a request for proposals for wind and solar power paired with energy storage for the two islands. The projects would come online in 2023. Estimated targets being sought for Molokai are the equivalent of about 4 megawatts of solar . . . Complete story »
