Wind farm developer First Wind has been awarded a $117 million federal loan guarantee for its 30-megawatt Kahuku Wind Project in Hawaii.

The company based in Boston was awarded the loan guarantee following negotiations with the US Department of Energy.

The wind farm is currently being built on Oahu’s North Shore, creating 200 jobs in the process, and will see 12 wind turbines installed.

The project is using 2.5MW-rated Liberty turbines from US manufacturer Clipper Windpower.

When complete, the facility is expected to generate enough power to supply 7,700 homes with electricity – to be sold to the Hawaiian Electric Company.

“Leadership”

“This project is another example of America’s leadership in the global clean energy economy,” said Secretary Chu as he awarded the loan guarantee on Tuesday. “Through the Recovery Act, we are supporting innovative projects that are adding to our workforce in the short term while laying the foundation for additional job creation in the long term.”

Along with the Clipper turbines, the project is set to use a 10MW battery storage system to help smooth the intermittency of power generation. The energy storage and management technology is being provided by Texas firm Xtreme Power, Inc.

First Wind said the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office had played a “vital role” in the project, which broke ground earlier this month.

Paul Gaynor, CEO of First Wind, said: “The loan guarantee helped us to secure the necessary financing to build this new wind energy project, which will create jobs, generate clean power for the people of Oahu, and help Hawaii gain greater energy independence. We appreciate the DOE’s support for this innovative project.”