Three unusual smaller wind projects coming online in US
Amid the flurry of large-scale development in 2005, three unusual smaller wind projects are quietly coming online. The first utility scale project in the island state of Hawaii recently began construction. The 10.56 MW project, using 16 Vestas V47 660 kW turbines, is being developed on the island of Hawaii by Hawi Renewable Development (HRD), a partnership between Enxco, International Energy Services USA and HRD Inc. The project is expected to be operational by November. Hawaii Electric Light Company will buy the power. At the US Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, four Vestas NM 950 kW turbines are producing 5-12% of the base's power needs, a contribution that is to increase to about 25% during the high wind months of late summer and fall. Guantanamo Bay supplies all its own power using diesel generators, which had been costing about $31,000 a day. The base estimates wind power will save $1.5 million in annual diesel oil imports. Lastly, Superior Renewable Energy is expected to begin construction shortly on a project located on the reservation of the Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians, 60 miles east of San Diego, California. San Diego Gas & Electric will buy the output of the 50 MW facility, which will be the largest wind power project constructed on Native American lands in the US. The project will use 25 of Gamesa's new turbine model rated at 2 MW. It is one of the first orders for the turbine and will be the machine's first appearance in the US.