Wind-energy developers are working with the state of Hawaii and Hawaii’s largest electric utility to develop wind resources on two islands and deliver power to Oahu. One estimate pegs the program’s cost at $3 billion, but another source says it could cost twice that amount.
The Interisland Wind Project encompasses two 200-MW wind farms to be developed on the islands of Lanai and Molokai, which have some of the best wind resources in the world, says Josh Strickler, coordinator of renewable energy programs for the Hawaii Dept. of Economic Development and Tourism. The state is taking the lead in drafting the environmental-impact study for the whole program and has issued a request for proposals.