Hawi Wind Farm is a wind farm on Upolu Point, the northern tip of Hawaii's largest island, Hawaiûi. Commissioned in 2006, it comprises sixteen 660 kW wind turbines manufactured by Vestas, specifically the Vestas V47 turbine. At maximum capacity the farm is able to produce 10.56 MW.
Mauna Kea causes the trade winds to divert around it, increasing wind to super-enhanced flow over the Kohala ridge. On 14 May 2004, Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) bought the project from enXco or EDF Renewable Energy. Since then the farm has been operated by Hawi Renewable Development LLC, but continues to provide power to HELCO. The Hawi wind farm was the first utility scaled wind farm built in Hawaii, quickly followed by the Kaheawa Wind Farm built later in 2006.
In 2011, the Hawi Wind Farm added a 1 megawatt back-up battery system to their wind farm. The Hawaii Natural Energy Institute approved this 1.8 million dollar project which allowed Altair Nanotechnologies to make this installation. This addition allows the wind farm to produce up to one megawatt of backup power that can be fed into the grid if the wind farm were to shut down due to safety reasons.
However, as recently as 2013 the farm has also had its setbacks. On 7 January 2013, the farm was forced to shut down due to high sustained winds and gusts up to 50 miles-per-hour. This shut down directly impacted over 6,000 customers. Similarly, a week later the farm went off line again, this time affecting about 4,500 customers.
In 2021, Hawi Renewable Development LLC proposed a 20-year extension to its power purchase agreement (PPA) with Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO). The proposal included refurbishing existing generators, gearboxes, and blades, installing new transformers, and upgrading the on-site substation. These enhancements aimed to extend the facility's operational life without increasing the number or size of turbines.
In December 2021, an amended PPA was filed, transitioning from oil-linked pricing to fixed rates, providing more predictable energy costs. A subsequent amendment in January 2023 detailed plans to repower the facility while maintaining its 10.56 MW capacity. These changes are expected to result in long-term savings for customers and contribute to Hawaii's renewable energy targets.
By March 2024, the first phase of the repowering project was completed, refurbishing 8 of the 16 turbines. The second phase is anticipated to conclude by late 2025, ensuring the wind farm's continued contribution to the island's energy mix.
With the extended PPA in place, the Hawi Wind Farm is set to operate until at least 2046. The ongoing upgrades and contract modifications align with Hawaii's goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045, solidifying the wind farm's role in the state's sustainable energy landscape.