Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...

Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 9.0 Wind
9.3.3 Area #3: Waialeale South Ridge
This area is a ridge extending up to the peak of Mt. Waialeale. This site is located
in a natural area and wind power may not be compatible with this land use. A project in
this area would be expensive to construct due to lack of roads and steep terrain. However
the ridgeline resource here is excellent, with Class 6 and 7 winds which yield an
estimated capacity factor of over 40 percent and theoretical space for over 100 MW of
capacity. It may be expensive to extend transmission to this area. Land ownership in this
area is mixed. Due to the inaccessibility and untouched nature of the area, Black &
Veatch ranked this site as a “low” priority for further investigation.
9.3.4 Site #4: Kuahua
This area is similar to the Waialeale South Ridge area; it is a remote ridge high on
Mt. Waialeale with expensive construction and transmission access. The wind resource
is slightly less and the access may be slightly better than Waialeale South Ridge. The
land is owned by the Robinson family. Due to the inaccessibility, single landowner, and
untouched nature of the area, Black & Veatch ranked this site as a “low” priority for
further investigation.
9.3.5 Site #5: North of Hanapepe
This area is similar to areas 3 and 4 in that it is a ridgeline on the south slope of
Mt. Waialeale with exceptional wind resource. Construction on the ridgeline may be
difficult and transmission would have to be extended two or more miles to reach the
project. The wind resource is considerable though, according to the wind map, with wind
Class 5 to 7. A capacity factor of 36 percent is estimated at the anemometer site based on
Black & Veatch analysis of available wind data. Capacity factors in excess of 40 percent
are likely further up the ridge. Development could begin at the bottom of the ridge and
expansions could potentially extend further up the ridge to a theoretical potential of
around 100 MW capacity. Data has been collected at the southern end of the ridge. Due
to the difficult access, but abundant wind resource and available data Black & Veatch
ranked this site as a “moderate” priority for further investigation.
9.3.6 Site #6: Kokee
There is a pocket of good wind resource straddling Highway 550 west of Waimea
Canyon in Puu Ka Pele Forest Reserve. The existing road is promising for allowing
construction, but the terrain may still present construction issues. The wind map indicates
about 15 to 20 MW potential with Class 5 and 6 winds yielding an estimated capacity
factor of 35 to 38 percent. Extending transmission lines to this area may be prohibitive,
21 March 2005 9-8 Black & Veatch