LIHUE >> Kauai’s power company plans to use an irrigation system dating back to the sugarcane plantation era to help store solar energy for night use.

According to the "Garden Island" report, officials said that the project will provide about a quarter of Kauai's energy needs and enable the Kauai Utility Cooperative to obtain 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

The utility company usually uses renewable resources to meet 100% of the island's solar energy needs. But the current battery limitations and lack of sunlight force the cooperative to rely on fossil fuels in the early morning and night.

The West Kauai Energy Project will draw water from four streams along the Kokee Ditch Irrigation System near Kekaha and Waimea. It will repair the existing reservoir and build new pipeline and gate structures.

The two reservoirs at different heights will be connected by pressure pipes or pipes. The solar power plant will pump water into the pressure pipe during the day. Then the water will flow down the pressure pipe, generating energy at night and early in the morning.

"When it runs at full capacity, it will have enough energy to power 18,000 homes on our island," said Beth Tokioka, communications manager of the utility company. "In terms of the environment, this will allow us to reduce the use of fossil fuels by 8 million gallons each year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year."

Utilities officials and engineers explained these details at a recent "talk story" meeting on the project.

Resident Kaua Mata asked what would happen if the water level of the Waimea River drops in the future.

Tokioka said the State Water Management Board decides how much water the utility can divert from the stream, and the utility will comply with these decisions.

The project site is located on land owned and managed by the State Department of Lands and Natural Resources, the State Hawaii Department of Land and Resources, and the State Agribusiness Development Corporation.

By participating in the online discussion, you acknowledge that you have agreed to the terms of service. Encourage insightful discussion of ideas and opinions, but comments must be civil and tasteful, and no personal attacks are allowed. If your comment is inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. If you think the comment does not meet our guidelines, please report it.

Questions with comments? Learn more here.

Click here to view our full report on the coronavirus outbreak. Submit your coronavirus news alert.

Copyright © 2021 StarAdvertiser.com. all rights reserved.

500 Ala Moana Blvd. #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813 Tel: 808-529-4747