First Wind Is Dynamic In Kahuku

The 12 turbines are up and running again. First Wind’s Kahuku Wind Project is reported at full capacity and once again producing enough power to light up 7,700 homes on Oahu.

The project was grounded in August 2012 after a fire broke out in its battery facility for still-unknown reasons. Rather than reinstalling the same system manufactured by Xtreme Power Inc., First Wind did some research and chose to go with a more advanced Dynamic Volt-Amp Reactive system, which it said is cheaper and more reliable with HECO’s grid – and it eliminates altogether the need for a battery facility.

The system has been regularly maintained since the 2012 fire, and it returned in a limited capacity last September, producing only 5mW out of its possible 30.

HECO gave the go-ahead to return to full capacity in late January.

First Wind has operated Kahuku Wind Project since March 2011, and it is one of three First Wind projects in Hawaii, which include facilities at Kaheawa and Kawailoa. A Habitat Conservation Plan also is in effect at Kahuku, protecting endangered native wildlife at the project site.

For more information on the wind project, visit https://www.firstwind.com/projects/kahuku-wind