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| FIRST WIND PRESS RELEASE: HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANY AGREES TO BUY ENERGY FROM FIRST WIND’S MOLOKAI WIND FARMS |
| 03/17/2009 |
First Wind, an independent developer of wind power in North America, today joined Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle in announcing the “Big Wind” agreement between the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), First Wind and Castle & Cooke. The agreement provides that HECO will negotiate long-term contracts to purchase a total of 400 MW of wind energy, including 200 MW from both First Wind and Castle & Cooke for Oahu’s grid.
This agreement supports HECO’s Energy Agreement with the State to increase renewable energy statewide by 1,100 MW by 2030 as part of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. First Wind has been considering a utility-scale wind project on Molokai since 2006.
“This agreement is a significant step forward for us,” said Paul Gaynor, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Wind. “We now know HECO will purchase power generated by First Wind on Molokai. The proposed Ikaika Wind Power is a win-win for everyone – for us, for Molokai, for the State of Hawaii, and for our environment. We still have a long way to go and we look forward to continuing on our path forward together with the people of Molokai, HECO, and state and federal political leaders.”
In 2006, First Wind began its dialogue with Molokai residents to explore the concept of a large wind farm to provide clean, renewable energy to Oahu. With its predominantly Native Hawaiian population and relatively undeveloped rural environment, Molokai is often called the last truly Hawaiian island. Residents have fought for decades to preserve the island’s culture and environment against unsustainable development proposals.
“First Wind respects Molokai’s commitment to protecting its natural resources and to building an economy that supports the island’s environmental and cultural heritage,” said Gaynor. “Our wind farm can be an important part of the community’s vision of a sustainable Molokai.”
To determine whether Molokai residents would support a large wind farm transmitting power to Oahu, First Wind spent more than two years meeting with Molokai individuals, families, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community organizations. Residents asked for lower electricity costs, clean and renewable fuel sources for the Molokai electrical grid, community access to any lands where a wind farm is constructed, and control over the lands currently owned by the Molokai Ranch. In response to these concerns, First Wind committed to working with residents to achieve all of these goals.
The northwest corner of Molokai has some of the best wind in the state, and First Wind plans to start generating 50 MW of power on lands owned by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) in Hoolehua. First Wind started collecting wind data and conducting avian studies at the proposed site in 2008. Construction is proposed to begin in 2012. First Wind has worked closely with Molokai homesteaders on its plans for the proposed wind farm.
“After two years of discussions, we feel comfortable partnering with First Wind,” said Kammy Purdy, a Hawaiian homesteader living in Hoolehua where the proposed project will be located. “They understand the significance of doing this project on Hawaiian Home Lands. This is a win-win situation – we have a productive use of our lands and we contribute to a better environment for our island, our state, our nation and the world – all in a way that preserves our island, respects our lifestyle, generates revenue and uses modern technology.”
The additional 150 MW of wind generation could be constructed on lands commonly referred to as the Molokai Ranch, and owned by Molokai Properties Limited, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based Guoco Group Limited. When First Wind came to Molokai in 2006, community leaders were already working to organize a campaign to purchase Molokai Ranch from Guoco. In November 2007, First Wind made a $50 million pledge to this campaign. The Molokai Community Service Council, a non-profit community development corporation, spearheads the Ho‘i I Ka Pono (“Restore the Pono”) campaign to purchase the Ranch. Executive Director Karen Holt explains that the campaign is based on the conviction that “the only way to protect Moloka‘i’s culture, environment and lifestyle is to give the people who live here the power to decide how to manage our limited resources.” If the community succeeds in purchasing the Ranch, First Wind would lease lands from the community to build its wind farm, and the community would use the income to create jobs, restoring Molokai’s environmental and cultural resources.
About First Wind
First Wind is an independent North American wind energy company focused exclusively on the development, ownership and operation of wind energy projects. First Wind is based in Newton, Massachusetts. For more information on First Wind, visit www.firstwind.com.
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