KAHUKU, Hawaii -- Kaheawa Wind Power is the state's largest wind power generating facility operating on the West Maui mountains.

Its developer --First Wind-- is already laying the foundation for it's second wind farm in the hills above Kahuku.

It plans to install 12 wind turbines across 506 acres.

They will stand more than 400 feet tall and will provide power to 7700 homes a year.

Hawaiian Electric Company agreed to buy the energy produced by the Kahuku Wind farm.

“Each new project, like this wind project, helps us to gain the kind of energy security that will be critical to a sustainable economy over the long term in Hawaii,” said Gov. Linda Lingle.

First Wind's CEO Paul Gaynor said the project is close to receiving a federal loan of $117 million, which he says will pump money into Oahu's economy with the creation of 200 local construction jobs.

Before Tuesday's official groundbreaking community members met with project developers.

“The people in Hawaii, especially the people in Kahuku, have taken a very, very constructive and practical approach to it,” said First Wind’s CEO Paul Gaynor.

“We’ve got most of the questions answered. We even had an opportunity to see the Maui project and see how it was in operation,” said Kahuku Resident John Primacio Jr.

Primacio said he remembers the Kahuku wind turbines from the 80s which shut down after technical problems.

“The turbines we are using are well proven, state-of-the-art machines. They’ve bee in the industry for dozens of years and they are commercially running all over the globe,” said Gaynor.

The Kahuku wind turbines are expected to produce energy by early next year.

First Wind is also looking at Molokai as a future location for its next wind farm.