Résumé: The opportunity now exists for the development of a utility-scale wind farm in Hawai'i. A combination of factors leads to the conclusion that wind-generated electricity has a sizeable cost advantage over Hawai'i's traditional petroleum fueled generation. In 1995, Global Energy Concepts (GEC) conducted feasibility studies of potential wind energy projects throughout Hawai'i. The study included a site on the island of Moloka'i near Ilio Point. However, GEC classified the location as unfeasible due to relatively low Moloka'i electricity demand and the lack of interisland transmission capability. Four factors have changed since the GEC study. The cost of petroleum has risen dramatically, the cost of capital has decreased, wind power technology has improved greatly and Hawai'i has adopted a renewable portfolio standard. These economic and technical changes now make it feasible to construct a utility-scale wind farm on Moloka'i and export the energy to the neighboring island of O'ahu via a new undersea transmission system. Detailed financial analysis results in an estimated project cost of

Langue: Anglais