Plan afoot to develop Hawaii’s Lake Wilson into major hydroelectric project

[SeaEagleKayaker]

Plan afoot to develop Hawaii’s Lake Wilson into major hydroelectric project

Duane Shimogawa is a Reporter for Pacific Business News (PBN)

A plan is in the works to utilize Central Oahu’s Lake Wilson for major renewable energy and water re-use projects, a state lawmaker confirmed to PBN. State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, D-Mililani Mauka-Wahiawa, has been working on a plan for a pumped hydro storage system at Lake Wilson, incorporating its dam.

This past legislative session, he introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 193 to encourage the state Agribusiness Development Corp. to develop a plant to acquire the dam and spillway of Lake Wilson for hydroelectricity.

An expert PBN spoke to recently said that there could be between 100 and 200 megawatts of pumped storage hydro potential on Oahu, just looking at existing reservoirs. Those with the most potential for pumped hydro storage include Lake Wilson in Wahiawa and the Upper Nuuanu Reservoir.

At one time, both of these reservoirs were hydropower sources and both of their powerhouses are still standing. Dela Cruz’s office told PBN that he is continuing to talk with the Agribusiness Development Corp. and may introduce legislation in 2016 to address the situation.
Besides these renewable energy projects, the senator also noted that he is making significant progress on a key water component involving Lake Wilson. This water reclamation project allows for the use of the city’s recycled wastewater for agriculture and recreation in Central Oahu.

The idea is to capture the treated outfall and redirect it to a site owned by the Agribusiness Development Corp. From this site, the water will be distributed to various Agribusiness Development Corp. agriculture lots and reservoirs, according to the senator’s office, which noted that it has been facilitating the discussions since 2014 between the Agribusiness Development Corp., the city’s Department of Environmental Services and the Board of Water Supply.

A memorandum of understanding with all three of these parties is currently being drafted.
Dela Cruz is leading a $200 million effort to revitalize farming in Central Oahu by providing farmers with land, water, housing, packaging and shipping facilities.
Nearly $40 million has been invested thus far into the Whitmore Project.

Duane Shimogawa covers energy, real estate and economic development for Pacific Business News.

[Stan Wright]

Well, that might call for some reworking of the dam… a And keeping the lake full of water for a change.

[Ca_Bass]

Not sure if it would cause current but the Savanah river lakes I fished were power lakes and when they were pulling water the bite was hot!