By Henry Curtis
The Public Utilities Commission has approved a Power Purchase Contract between Kaheawa Wind Power II LLC (KWPII) and Maui Electric Company (MECO).
FirstWind is the primary owner of KWPII. FirstWind succeeded where other windfarm proposals on Maui failed because FirstWind teamed up with politically connected Makani Nui Associates, LLC (Kent R. Smith, Hilton Unemori). Makani which was given an 8% share in KWPII.
The proposed wind farm will include a Battery Energy Storage System (10 MW/20 MWh)
To “protect” Maui ratepayers from knowing the price of wind energy, the pricing scheme is sealed under a Protective Order.

Read more of Henry Curtis’ article at
Second Maui Wind Farm Approved