First Wind Receives DOE Loan Guarantee to Finance Hawaii Wind Project with Energy Storage

March 5, 2010 – Vol.14 No.50

First Wind Receives DOE Loan Guarantee to Finance Hawaii Wind Project with Energy Storage.

First Wind has been offered a conditional commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a $117 million loan guarantee to finance the construction of its proposed 30 megawatt (MW) Kahuku Wind project. Located in Kahuku, Hawaii, the project will have the capacity to generate enough clean, wind energy to power about 7,700 Oahu homes each year. First Wind plans to include innovative technology in this project, including a battery energy storage system.

The Kahuku Wind project will support the ambitious Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, which aims to have 70 percent of the state’s energy for electricity and ground transportation come from clean energy by 2030. The work on the Kahuku Wind project will create employment opportunities during design, engineering and construction including approximately 200 construction jobs.

First Wind intends to incorporate innovative technology in its Kahuku Wind project: a 15 MVA, 10 MW/hour battery energy storage system to enhance electricity load stability. Developed by Xtreme Power, of Kyle, Texas, the patented battery system will enable the Kahuku Wind project to store energy and provide as much as 10 MW of power for at least an hour during periods of low wind speeds.

The Kahuku Wind project will also include twelve 2.5 MW Clipper Liberty (tm) turbines. Manufactured in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Liberty turbines are the largest wind turbines manufactured in North America.

The Kahuku project will also feature a Habitat Conservation Plan so that endangered species can be protected near the project.

First Wind, of Boston, Massachusetts, is an independent wind energy company exclusively focused on the development, financing, construction, ownership and operation of utility-scale wind projects in the United States. (3/510)

Links:

First Wind
http://www.firstwind.com

Xtreme Power
http://www.xtremepowersolutions.com

Clipper Wind
http://www.clipperwind.com

Disclaimer, Forward-Looking or Safe Harbor Statement on original press release: No