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Posted: Tuesday, July 18th, 2006 4:09 PM HST

Maui wind farm ramps up electricity production

By Associated Press

MAALAEA, Hawaii (AP) _ Maui's first wind farm is now fully operational, and it's producing enough electricity for eleven-thousand households. The Kaheawa wind energy project has 20 giant turbines spinning on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains. They produce nine percent of Maui Electric's needs and eliminate the need for 244-thousand barrels of imported oil. Another wind farm being built will produce enough power for 15-thousand homes. Combined, they will provide more than 20 percent of the electricity cooperative's power at half the cost of imported oil. Winds at the Kaheawa site consistently blow at an average of 24 miles per hour, producing a steady source of renewable energy. (Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved)