Maui Electric Company will purchase 21MW of wind energy from Sempra’s Auwahi Wind project located in Maui, US, following approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.

The Auwahi plant will be located at the Ulupalakua Ranch and is expected to generate emission-free electricity, sufficient to power about 10,000 households.

The project will be equipped with a battery storage unit capable of storing the power generated by its turbines.

Subject to the receipt of all approvals, Maui Electric plans to start the construction of the project in early 2012, and completion is expected in 2013.