Wailuku

Built in 1993, the Wailuku hydro electric plant is located four kilometers east of the town of Hilo on the east coast of the Island of Hawaii. It sits downstream of the junction of the Wailuku River and the Kaloheahewa Stream.

Wailuku is a run-of-river plant, which means it relies on the natural flow of the river rather than a dam to produce electricity. Production is largely a function of annual rainfall. The plant contains two Voith units, each with a five-megawatt capacity, for a total of 10 megawatts.

TransAlta acquired its 50 per cent interest in the Wailuku plant in February 2006 through its affiliate TransAlta (CE Gen) Investments U.S.A. Inc. The other 50 per cent interest is owned by an affiliate of MidAmerican Group of Companies, MEHC Investment, Inc.