Wind and PV Plants Proposed for Lanai

The island of Lanai, lying west of Maui, could become a supplier of renewable electricity for its own residents and those of Oahu, the most populous island in the State of Hawaii.

Castle & Cooke, Inc., which owns 98% of 140-square-mile Lanai, is studying whether to build what would be Hawaii‚ s largest wind farm. The proposed $750 million facility could provide 15-20% of Oahu‚ s energy needs. Electricity from the 300-MW wind farm would be transported between islands via an undersea cable. A decision is expected by the end of 2007 at the conclusion of a feasibility study. The next step would be a year-long environmental impact study; construction would follow within the next two years, with the first phase completed in three years.

The company also plans to build the state‚ s largest photovoltaic facility on Lanai. The proposed 1.5-MW solar plant could meet up to 30% of Lanai‚ s electricity demand. The plant will be built by a Castle & Cooke subsidiary, Lanai Sustainability Research LLC, on a 10-acre site on the south side of the island. The $13 million to $18 million project could be completed by the end of 2007.

Castle & Cook is negotiating a power purchase agreement with Maui Electric Company to provide the solar electricity through MECO‚ s grid. The company is also considering growing feedstock for biofuels on its extensive agricultural acreage.

Source: Andrea Gill, Energy Conservation Analyst