Hawaii plans to remove numerous wind turbines after the implementation of new rules regarding where the state can build these renewable energy structures. The decision has sparked both celebration from locals and concern among officials over how this will impact the state’s clean energy transition.
Many living in Hawaii have long argued that wind energy infrastructure is too close to residential areas. Protests during the 2019 installation of turbines on O‘ahu resulted in over 100 arrests. Locals have voiced concerns about noise, shadow flicker, mechanical risks and potential health impacts, including headaches, sleep disruption and stress.
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In response, the Honolulu City Council recently approved new regulations requiring turbines to be located at least 1.25 miles — or 10 times their height, whichever is greater — from residential, apartment or resort property lines. Previously, the setback was only equal to the height of the turbine.
This means turbines currently in violation of the mandate will be decommissioned once their contracts expire. The first set is on track for removal in 2031, and the remainder will likely occur by 2040.
State officials are concerned the stricter rules could hinder Hawaii’s renewable energy goals. Under state law, utility companies are required to source 100% of their electricity from clean power sources by 2045. Wind energy will likely make up 20% of that total. Right now, Hawaii derives about 6% of its energy from wind turbines.
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Deputy Director Stephen Walls of the Hawaii Energy Office warned that the new setbacks might deter future wind development in the state, but expressed hopes that advancements in solar and battery storage might offset the impact.
[Jack Aylmer]
AMID A LONGSTANDING DISPUTE OVER WIND ENERGY IN HAWAII, MANY TURBINES HAVE NOW BEEN ORDERED TO BE TAKEN DOWN.
SOME LOCALS ARE CELEBRATING THE DECISION, BUT OFFICIALS FEAR IT MAY JEOPARDIZE THE STATE’S CLEAN POWER GOALS.
BACK IN 2019, THE INSTALLATION OF TURBINES ON THE ISLAND OF O’AHU WAS MET WITH MASS PROTESTS RESULTING IN OVER 100 ARRESTS-
RESIDENTS SAYING THE STRUCTURES WERE BEING PLACED TOO CLOSE TO THEIR HOMES.
SINCE THEN, MANY HAVE CONSISTENTLY PUSHED FOR LARGER BUFFER ZONES, CITING CONCERNS ABOUT NOISE, SHADOW FLICKER, AND POTENTIAL MECHANICAL FAILURES.
THEY’VE ALSO EXPRESSED FEARS ABOUT THE NEGATIVE HEALTH IMPACTS FROM THESE TURBINES-
INCLUDING HEADACHES, DISRUPTED SLEEP, AND STRESS.
THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL IS NOW TAKING ACTION-
APPROVING NEW RULES TO REQUIRE TURBINES BE LOCATED AT LEAST ONE-AND-A-QUARTER MILE—OR 10 TIMES THEIR HEIGHT, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.—
FROM RESIDENTIAL, APARTMENT, OR RESORT PROPERTY LINES.
PREVIOUSLY, THE REQUIRED SETBACK WAS ONLY EQUAL TO THE HEIGHT OF THE TURBINE.
THIS NOW MEANS THAT TURBINES CURRENTLY IN VIOLATION OF THE RECENT MANDATE WILL BE REMOVED ONCE THEIR CONTRACTS EXPIRE-
WITH THE FIRST SET IS EXPECTED TO BE DECOMMISSIONED IN 2031, AND THE REMAINDER TO FOLLOW BY 2040.
MEANWHILE, SOME IN THE STATE’S GOVERNMENT ARE WORRIED THIS WILL HINDER HAWAII’S RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION.
UNDER STATE LAW, UTILITY COMPANIES ARE REQUIRED TO SOURCE 100% OF THEIR ELECTRICITY FROM CLEAN POWER SOURCES BY 2045.
20 PERCENT OF THAT TOTAL IS EXPECTED TO COME FROM WIND ENERGY-
WHICH RIGHT NOW MAKES UP SIX PERCENT OF HAWAII’S ENERGY NEEDS.
THE STATE’S ENERGY OFFICE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID THE NEW SETBACKS COULD DETER FUTURE WIND DEVELOPERS FROM COMING TO HAWAII-
BUT EXPRESSED HOPES THAT ADVANCEMENTS IN SOLAR AND BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES MIGHT OFFSET THE IMPACT.
TO GET MORE STORIES ABOUT CONFLICTS SURROUNDING RENEWABLE ENERGY, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND SIGN UP FOR ALERTS FROM ME- JACK AYLMER.
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