Kaawanui Solar | AES Hawai‘i

Project summary

The Kaawanui solar project is a proposed 43 MW photovoltaic array paired with 4 hours of battery storage capacity [172 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)]. The proposed Project is located on land managed by Gay & Robinson, Inc. in Makaweli. The Project will be developed and operated by AES Hawaiʻi. It will deliver power at a low, fixed price to Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative’s (KIUC) island-wide electrical grid over a 25-year contract term. The Project will include the design and construction of a switchyard, the “Kaawanui Substation,” which will allow the Project to connect to KIUC’s electrical grid. The Project is anticipated to enter commercial operation in 2028.

Specifications: 43 MW solar photovoltaic array plus 172 MWh containerized lithium-ion BESS.
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Under a 25-year PPA, the Project will deliver power to KIUC's electrical grid to serve Kauaʻi residents.
Decommissioning: At the end of the Project’s life, AES Hawaiʻi will restore the land to its existing condition (or comparable).
Preliminary Project Study Area: The Project will be sited within an approximate 269-acre Preliminary Project Study Area. The Project Area, which houses the Project infrastructure, will be a smaller subset of the Preliminary Study Area.
Compatible Agriculture: In alignment with State law, this project is designed to incorporate compatible agricultural uses. Under the compatible agriculture plan, AES Hawaiʻi is partnering with a local, Kauaʻi-based farming company to co-locate agricultural activities on-site, with the goal of producing food for commercial sale. This approach supports Kauaʻi’s 100% renewable energy goals while contributing to West Kauaʻi’s long-term food security.

Kauaʻi’s 100% clean energy future

AES Hawaiʻi is partnering with the Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) to help realize their strategic goal of generating 100% of Kauaʻi’s electricity from renewable sources by 2033. This effort aims to reduce power costs, decrease reliance on imported fossil fuels, and increase the amount of energy generated from Kauaʻi’s resources. In 2019, we made history together by bringing online the Lāwaʻi Solar + Storage Project, which was the largest operational solar and energy storage system in the world at the time. In 2021, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, we also brought Kekaha Solar + Storage online (also known as the AES PMRF Project). Working together, we are co-creating solutions that help stabilize rates, increase grid reliability, and support Kauaʻi's goals for renewable generation.

Project benefits

Low and stable electricity cost

Under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) application under review by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the Project will deliver power at a fixed price over 25 years. The low, stable, fixed pricing helps protect against price-volatile, imported fossil fuels.

17.5% of Kauaʻi’s energy needs

The project is anticipated to power the equivalent of more than 16,000 homes annually with clean, locally produced energy and generate approximately 17.5% of Kauaʻi’s energy needs.

7.1+ million gallons of fuel avoided annually.*

The project is expected to prevent the consumption of more than 179 million gallons of fuel over its 25-year lifespan and avoid 2,350,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

1,064+ jobs and $216+ million in economic output

The project, over its lifetime — including direct, indirect, and induced efforts — is estimated to generate or sustain approximately 1,064 jobs in Hawaiʻi, $77.9 million in labor income, and economic output of more than $216.7 million.

*Source: Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, PUC Docket No. 2025-0198.

Site maps

Project vicinity map

Preliminary study area

The Project Area, which houses the Project infrastructure, will be a smaller subset of the Preliminary Study Area. The Project will also include an AES Hawaiʻi Substation and new KIUC switchyard, the “Kaawanui Substation,” which will connect the Project to the KIUC grid.

Preliminary project layout

The Preliminary Project Layout represents a 30% engineering design and will be further refined as engineering progresses.

Project schedule

The proposed timeline for Project development and execution is included below. Please note that this schedule is subject to change and will be updated as necessary.

Project timeline graphic showing phases from Q3 2024 to 2028, including proposal award, design, engineering, regulatory review, agency approvals, construction, and proposed commercial operation. Community outreach spans the entire timeline.

Community outreach

AES Hawaiʻi is deeply committed to engaging with the community early and often throughout the Project’s lifespan. Together with KIUC, we are committed to being active, invested members of the communities we serve. Being a responsible community partner is fundamental to our values and drives our approach to developing Kaawanui Solar.

Community engagement for the Kaawanui Solar Project has been ongoing since early 2025. It has been designed to ensure transparency, early input, and collaboration with West Kauaʻi residents, community leaders, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Early public awareness included KIUC's March 2025 news release and coverage in the Summer 2025 Currents magazine. Community outreach efforts included a public meeting, presentations to government officials, community leader and small-group discussions, employee presentations, and open houses in the Pākalā, Kaʻawanui, and Kaumakani villages.

We are committed to proactively engaging and consulting with stakeholders throughout the development process. Our community outreach efforts include, but are not limited to, informing stakeholders and neighboring communities of the Project’s proposed design, soliciting feedback and answering questions, and proactively identifying and mitigating concerns.

Community Outreach Representative: Carrice Gardner

We invite you to share your feedback on the Project via the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of this website or by emailing us at kaawanuisolar@aes.com.

Community meetings and presentations:

September 24, 2025 Public Community Meeting and Open House

Presentation: 9.24.2025 Kaawanui Solar Presentation

A woman stands and speaks in front of an audience at a community meeting about sustainable energy in Hawaii. Attendees sit in folding chairs, listening to the presentation, with a projector screen displaying project specifications and banners promoting AES Hawaii.

Cultural and archaeological resources

AES Hawaiʻi takes the archaeological and cultural resources review very seriously. As we have done for all Hawai‘i projects previously developed or currently in development, this Project underwent extensive archaeological and cultural reviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of the land and any potential impacts from the proposed development. All steps will be taken to carefully record, avoid, and/or mitigate impacts on archeological and cultural resources to the extent practicable.

Archaeological

The Project’s first step was to commission an archaeological literature review and field inspection (LRFI) to survey and visually inspect the project area. This was followed by an Archaeological Inventory Survey (AIS) and an architectural Reconnaissance Level Survey (RLS), which have been submitted to the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) for review.

Cultural

A Cultural Impact Assessment with Ka Paʻakai Analysis has been conducted for this Project. The study concluded that the Project will not affect or impair valued cultural, historical, or natural resources at the Project Site, including traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights.

Environmental studies

AES Hawaiʻi and its environmental consultants conducted a preliminary assessment of the site's environmental conditions based on the review of publicly available maps, studies, and previous environmental reports prepared for the property. Detailed information is being obtained through due diligence and site-specific studies. The results of these studies will inform the Project design, which will seek to avoid and minimize environmental impacts to the extent practicable. Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be implemented to minimize impacts throughout the Project lifecycle.

The Project is being designed to meet national safety standards and does not pose a risk to human health or the environment. Additionally, pesticides will not be used at any stage of the Project, including during development, construction, and operations.

Contact us

We appreciate your interest and participation in Kauaʻi’s renewable energy future. We look forward to hearing your ideas and comments through the “Contact us” form below or by emailing the Project at kaawanuisolar@aes.com. By filling out the “Contact us” form, you will automatically be added to the Project mailing list and will receive Project updates.