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Maui, also known as the Windy Isle, harnesed those breezes into the equivalent of barrels of oil generated energy, over 230,000 in fact in 2007. Kaheawa Wind Power is the windfarm located on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains .
The $70-million project eliminated the need to import 236,000 barrels of oil last year while helping avoid the release of more than 91,000 tons of carbon dioxide, said the Boston based company. "That's equivelent to the energy used by 11,000 homes on Maui.
"In addition to the clean energy produced by Kaheawa Wind Power and associated environmental benefits, the wind farm has played a major role in stabilizing and reducing the cost of energy on Maui," said Michael Alvarez, UPC chief operating officer, in a press statement.
"Since it achieved commercial operations, the project has sold all of its output to Maui Electric Company at rates that will save the utility over $4 million annually as compared to current avoided cost contracts."
UPC Wind is pursuing at least one other wind farm project in Maui County, a facility that would be built on Moloka'i. In November UPC Wind said pledged to contribute to a community group's efforts to buy out Moloka'i's largest landowner.
Environmentalists have worked hard to replant, educate and reduce the impact on the unique native plants that make up the area where the giant windmills are located.
Much hands-on effort including erosion control, replanting and educating construction crew members coming from the mainland to better aware of the stewardship required for the fragile and unique eco-systems in Hawaii. The state owned site where the wind farm is located includes dwarf ohi'a trees and plants that have adapted to the harsh windy environment where the new Maui wind farm.
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