Wednesday 23 May 2012

BP, Sempra to develop Hawaii wind farm

www.elp.com
17 May 2012

(US) Sempra US Gas & Power and BP Wind Energy plan to jointly develop the Auwahi wind farm in Hawaii. This is the fifth project developed under a strategic partnership between the two companies that includes more than 1,000 MW of wind generating capacity in operation or under construction. Located in southeastern Maui, the 21 MW wind farm will use eight Siemens wind turbines to generate enough renewable power for about 10,000 average Maui homes. Initial construction activities are underway and full mobilization at the site is slated to begin by the end of the second quarter 2012.

The project will employ about 150 workers during the peak of construction and is expected to be in commercial operation by year-end 2012. The balance of plant contract has been awarded to RMT WindConnect. Sempra US Gas & Power will continue leading the development of Auwahi Wind and operate the project once construction is complete. The entire power output from the wind farm has been sold under a long-term power purchase agreement to the Maui Electric Co. This new source of locally-produced wind power helps Hawaii reach its clean energy goal to secure 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

In a first for the BP and Sempra US Gas & Power strategic partnership, the Auwahi wind farm will use a battery storage unit capable of storing in excess of 4 MWh of renewable power. This stored electricity will help to regulate the intermittent wind power, providing a valuable source of grid stability for Maui Electric Co.

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