The wind facility, located along the slopes of the Haleakala volcano, employs eight wind turbines with the electricity generated to meet the needs of 10,000 households in the region.
Sempra US Gas & Power Renewables and Corporate Development vice president Kevin C. Sagara said that the wind facility will provide clean, sustainable power and will make Hawaii to meet its goal to derive 40% of its power from renewable sources by 2030.
Maui Electric Co. President Sharon Suzuki said the project provides a valuable energy alternative for the island.
"The addition of the Auwahi Wind project brings Maui’s total installed capacity of wind generation to 72 MW, a great accomplishment for such a small island and one that will help further our efforts to break our dependence on foreign oil,"added Suzuki.
Auwahi Wind facility also consist of a 11MW/4.4MWh grid battery system, which will regulate and sustain power to Maui Electric’s grid during light wind conditions.
The addition of the Auwahi Wind project brings Maui’s total installed capacity of wind generation to 72MW.
