Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...

Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 9.0 Wind
9.3.2 Area #2: Omao
A series of low ridges in the foothills north of Lawai make up the Omao area.
The ridgeline resource in this area may be difficult to construct, especially sites up the
ridges, significantly removed from Highway 50. The best wind sites in the area,
according to the wind maps, are along a ridge next to the highway with Class 5 and 6
winds which yield an estimated capacity factor of 34 to 37 percent, and a ridge further
north with class 6 and 7 winds which yield an estimated capacity factor of 36 to 40
percent. The nearer ridge is close to major transmission lines. The greater resource of the
more distant ridge may justify extending transmission and roads. The near ridge would
be appropriate for a 7 MW wind farm, with the possibility of an expansion doubling its
capacity in the future. The far ridge has room for approximately 40 MW of installed
capacity. Land ownership in this area is mixed and visibility may be an issue due to the
proximity of the highway. Due to the strong resource and proximity to roads and
transmission, Black & Veatch ranked this site as a “moderate” priority for further
investigation. A photo of the area is shown in Figure 9-4.
Figure 9-4. View of Ridge at Omao Site with Transmission.
21 March 2005 9-7 Black & Veatch