Now generating clean energy for the island’s electrical grid, the Kawailoa Wind is expected to reduce oil consumption by about 300,000 barrels of oil on Oahu per year, which in turn would reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by more than 134,000 tons on an annual basis.

As with its other projects on Maui and Oahu, First Wind developed a Habitat Conservation Plan for Kawailoa Wind, working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.  The HCP is a wildlife conservation effort that includes research funding and actions to protect and minimize incidental harm to federally listed species in the vicinity of the wind energy project.