RMT, Inc. (RMT), a renewable energy engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor specializing in the design and construction of wind and solar energy generating facilities, has commenced heavy construction at First Wind’s 69-MW Kawailoa Wind project on Oahu’s North Shore.
“First Wind is pleased to again be working with RMT and to continue our commitment to building first-class renewable energy facilities in Hawaii. We appreciate the cooperation and support of the Hawaiian regulatory officials, local government, land owners, neighbors, and our construction team in safely building Hawaii’s largest renewable energy facility to date,” said Michael Alvarez, President and CFO of First Wind.
RMT broke ground at Kawailoa in 2011, and recently mobilized construction crews to commence heavy civil construction and turbine erection. The company is providing engineering, procurement, and construction of the civil and electrical infrastructure, including the installation of 30 Siemens 2.3-MW wind turbines. The civil infrastructure includes roads, crane paths and pads, and turbine foundations. The electrical infrastructure includes a 23-kV collection system, two 23kV/46kV substations, and a 46-kV transmission line that will interconnect to the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) system. RMT is also responsible for the tower erection, wiring, and mechanical completion; construction of the operations and maintenance building; SCADA system design and installation; and site restoration.
Construction at Kawailoa Wind is expected to be completed by the end of 2012. When complete, Kawailoa will be the largest wind energy facility in Hawaii, with the capacity to generate enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 14,500 homes on the island, or as much as five percent of Oahu’s annual electrical demand.
“We are pleased to be part of the fourth—and largest—project that First Wind is constructing in Hawaii,” said RMT President David Kutcher. “We appreciate the confidence First Wind continues to show in our capabilities.”
In addition to Kawailoa, RMT handled construction for First Wind's Kahuku Wind project on Oahu and is currently building KWP II on Maui. On the U.S. mainland, RMT also led the construction of First Wind's Milford I & II Wind projects in Utah and Sheffield Wind project in Vermont, and is currently building First Wind's Palouse Wind project in Washington.