Puu Lua Hydropower Project – 8.6 MW Approximate
Konohiki Hydro Power, LLC

Proposed Project Description

The Puu Lua Hydropower Project is a proposed ditch-to-ditch hydroelectric power project located on former sugar cane lands in the Waimea District on the Westside of Kauai.  The project was developed in partnership with the Kekaha Agricultural Association (KAA) to take advantage of the electrical potential of the Kokee Ditch system improvements.  The Kokee Ditch will serve as the source for a modern, efficient pressurized irrigation system that will service over 6,000 acres of agricultural lands for over a hundred years to come. The power will be sold to the KAA and its members; the significant excess electricity will be made available to the island of Kauai.  The special purpose entity created by PLP to hold this project is called Konohiki Hydro Power, LLC.

The project is composed of two powerhouse units – the Upper Puu Lua Project and the Lower Puu Lua Project.

Upper Puu Lua Power Project

The improved conduit is proposed to begin at the Puu Lua Reservoir bypass ditch (approximate elevation of 3,270ft). 32,500 feet of 30-inch pipe will be placed in the existing Koke‘e Ditch, which is managed and maintained by the KAA on Hawaii State conservation land.  An additional intake will be located beyond the outlet of the Puu Lua Reservoir in order to receive waters from the reservoir.

The conduit will end just below the now abandoned Kitano Reservoir on agriculturally zoned land at a powerhouse containing a 4.3 MW pelton turbine and generator.  The water will empty into a planned 5 million gallon tailrace sump, which will serve as the forebay for the Lower Puu Lua Power Project.  The power will be transported to the Kekaha Agriculture Association’s electrical transmission system, which is approximately ¼ mile away from the proposed site.

Lower Puu Lua Power Project

From the 5 million gallon tailrace sump from the Upper Puu Lua Power Project (approximate elevation of 1,900ft), 23,000 feet of new conduit will be laid by the KAA on agriculturally zoned land down the hill to the Poki’i Ridge at an elevation of approximately 175 feet.  The water will flow into another planned 4.3 MW pelton turbine and generator and end in a planned 5 million gallon tailrace sump that will feed the KAA’s planned pressurized irrigation system.

Benefits

Anticipated Positive Impacts from this Project

• Inexpensive renewable energy for the agricultural sector
• Inexpensive renewable energy for the Island of Kauai
• Reduced cost of maintenance of the Kokee Ditch
• Revenue for the KAA and the ADC that will make the management of the former Kekaha Sugar Corporation infrastructure independently sustainable and remove dependency on taxpayer dollars
• Fewer water losses from seepage and evaporation
• Cleaner water for agricultural use
• More efficient use of water
• Reduced soil erosion
• Reduced impact on the Kekaha and Waimea drainage system during storm surge
• Reduced impact on the reef along the Mana Plain during storm surge
• Temporary jobs during construction
• 1-2 permanent jobs during operations

Anticipated Negative Impacts from this Project

• Temporary impacts during construction on the existing ditch and the easement along the ditch
• Reduced access by local game and some bird species to water
• Possible visual impact from the powerhouses, as well as the ditch, which is currently visible along Kokee State Park Road

The project is projected to be online in 2014.

Status

Currently, the project is applying for a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Small Conduit Hydroelectric Exemption. FERC is the federal body that regulates the hydropower industry in the US. 

This process began on January 7, 2011 with a Notice of Intent to Submit an Exemption Application.  Since then, PLP has submitted its Initial Consultation Document / Draft Exemption Application for review by the public [LINK-PDF].  This document is available for download.  On February 22, 2011, a Joint Agency and Public Meeting was held in Waimea at the Waimea Neighborhood Center from 6pm until 8:30 [LINK-PDF].

Government Agencies and the Public have until Aprill 22, 2011 to submit suggestions for studies that address stakeholder concerns, as well as other comments, questions and concerns from the agencies and the public.

A final Small Conduit Hydroelectric Exemption Application will be submitted to FERC by May 9, 2011 for its consideration.

Once the FERC process has progressed, a full environmental assessment/ impact statement (as required) will be carried out, and the project will go through statutory State and County permitting processes.  Consultation with all stakeholders and interested parties will continue.  We welcome anyone’s comments, questions or concerns.  You may submit comments by email, mail, or through this website.

Preliminary engineering is taking place with AEC/ IDOM and a preliminary environmental report is being prepared by TEC, Inc.

Financing

Initial cost estimates bring the total cost of the project to between $38,000,000 - $45,000,000.

PLP is based in Kauai and is highly motivated to keep the financing cost to a minimum.  PLP is focused on finding the lowest cost financing options, including pursing RUS funds and qualifying for renewable energy tax credits.