Community

The only clean energy project in the Kohala area of Hawaiʻi Island, Hawi Wind Farm has been part of the community since 2006, bringing clean energy to over 2,100 homes in the region and enhancing energy stability and infrastructure for the rural neighbors and farmland.

• Preserving the area’s pastoral way of life, preserving over 250 acres, dedicated to agriculture and renewable energy
• Sustaining local agriculture through on-site cattle ranching
• Bringing clean energy — today and for generations
• Supporting jobs and local families
• Technology and operational protocols that mitigate potential issues to wildlife and natural habitats
• Clean energy in support of the state’s renewable portfolio standards (RPS)
• Small footprint, world-class impact

• To Ratepayers — Locks in a proven renewable energy resource for an additional 20 years at a price below fossil fuel; helps HECO reduce the cost of electricity for Hawaiʻi Island
• To RPS and Carbon Neutrality achievement — Contributes to statewide goals.
• To Economy — Contributes $43M to local economy over next twenty years
• To Jobs — Will employ 30 people during repower and ensures continued employment of 4 local on-the-ground operators.
• To County and State — Tax revenues from operations accrue to benefit of both Hawaiʻi County and to the state.
• To Agriculture — The cattle raised on the Hawi Energy land help feed island residents.
• To Grid Stability — Provides grid stability due to location of wind farm; also provides diversification of technology and a complementary resource to solar, since wind production occurs at different hours than peak solar.
• To the Community and Environment — Extending life of existing infrastructure will not create waste caused by disposal of existing equipment.

Outreach Approach

Our community engagement remains rooted in the community’s culture, priorities, and way-of-life.

We Keep Stakeholders Informed at Every Step of the Project