Wind and wave energy platforms proposed in Hawaii whale waters

A Seattle company wants to develop a massive renewable energy project in the waters between O’ahu and Moloka’i, targeting an area that usually has Hawai’i’s largest concentration of endangered humpback whales, is an important feeding ground for Hawaiian monk seals and is popular with commercial and recreational fishermen.

The proposal has many environmentalists, fishing enthusiasts, government marine officials and others alarmed.

“Great project, wrong location,” said Irene Bowie, executive director of Maui Tomorrow, a citizens planning and environmental group.

As many as 100 raised off-shore platforms would be erected over a roughly 80-square-mile area between O’ahu and Moloka’i to harness up to 1,100 megawatts of electricity from waves and wind, according to Grays Harbor Ocean Energy Co. documents filed with the federal government and a company official.

O’ahu’s peak power demand typically is about 1,200 megawatts.

Source:  Honolulu Advertiser