AES Hawai’i has completed the West O’ahu solar + storage project in Kapolei – the company’s first facility combining solar generation and battery energy storage on O’ahu. The launch was commemorated with a blessing ceremony at the project site and a reception on the nearby campus of the University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu.
Located on 66 acres of open University of Hawaii land, the West O’ahu solar + storage facility generates 12.5 MW, supported by a 50 MWh battery energy storage system, under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Hawaiian Electric.
“This is a momentous day for AES Hawai’i as it is our first solar and storage project on O’ahu and one that for many years has delivered a host of benefits far beyond the cheap, clean energy we generate . for the people of O’ahu,” said Bernerd Da Santos, AES Executive Vice President and President of Global Renewables. “Working with a leading educational institution at the University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu, we are helping reduce Hawai’i’s dependence on imported oil and using the land to meet the island’s agricultural needs.”
Governor Josh Green congratulated AES Hawai’i on the launch of its first solar energy storage facility on O’ahu and the positive impact it will have in supporting the state’s clean energy goals and combating the effects of climate change. “This project is one of many we welcome as we make progress toward the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, launched in 2008,” he said. “We will continue the good work underway to make our islands oil independent by the year 2045. Our government is investing in contractor training programs to build a workforce with the technical expertise to support these types of efforts.”
News item from AES
