Second Public Comment Period
AES Hawaiʻi is soliciting public comments for the Keʻāmuku Solar + Storage project. We invite you to share your thoughts and feedback on this project through the Contact Us form below.
Hawaiʻi’s 100% clean energy future
As Hawaiʻi accelerates its transition to a 100% renewable future by 2045, AES Hawaiʻi is partnering with utilities, communities, landowners and customers to deliver greener, smarter energy solutions and help ensure a responsible and equitable transformation to clean energy. Since the 1980s, our people have worked passionately to meet Hawaiʻi's growing energy needs. Working together, we are co-creating solutions that support Hawaiʻi’s renewable generation goals, stabilize rates and increase grid reliability.
Contact us
We appreciate your interest and participation in Hawaiʻi’s renewable energy future. We look forward to hearing your ideas and comments.
Community Outreach Representative:
Carrice Gardner
Email: keamukusolar@aes.com
Project Hotline: +1 (808) 800-3942
Low and stable electricity cost
Under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the Project will deliver power at a fixed price over 20 years. The low, stable pricing helps protect against volatile fossil fuel prices.
20% of Hawaiʻi Island's energy needs
The Project is anticipated generate enough electricity to power 35,336 homes and generate approximately 20% of Hawai‘i Island’s energy needs upon completion.*
3.2 million barrels of fuel avoided
The Project is expected to prevent the consumption of more than 3.2 million barrels of fuel over its 20-year lifespan.*
1,635 jobs generated and $381.4 million in economic output
The Project is anticipated to create approximately 1,635 local jobs (direct, indirect and induced) and generate total economic output of approximately $381.4 million.
Source: PUC Docket 2026-0119
Project summary
The Keʻāmuku Solar + Storage project is a proposed 86 MW solar photo-voltaic array and 344 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that will be developed and operated by AES Hawai‘i.
The Project will be located on land owned by AES Hawai‘i adjacent to Waikoloa Road and Māmalahoa Highway on Hawai‘i Island.
- Specifications: 86 MW solar photovoltaic array plus 344 MWh containerized lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
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Power Purchase Agreement: The project will deliver power to serve Hawaiʻi Island residents under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with Hawaiian Electric at a low, fixed cost over its operational span.
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Decommissioning: All project components will be removed and the land will be returned to its existing condition (or comparable) at the end of the Project’s operational period.
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Project study area: To responsibly site the Project, reduce potential grading and fill, as well as avoid sensitive features, AES Hawaiʻi studied approximately 1,090 acres of land.
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Preliminary project footprint: Solar panels, batteries, substation, and other project components are anticipated to cover an area of approximately 165 acres.
Project name
Keamuku Solar, LLC
Owner/Developer
Keamuku Solar, an affiliate of AES
Project capacity (MW)
86 MW
Proposed facility location
Waikoloa Village, Hawai‘i Island
TMK(s) of facility location
TMK: (3) 6-8-002-008; TMK: (3) 6-8-002-010
Preliminary Project layout
The Preliminary Project Layout represents a 30% engineering design and will be further refined as engineering progresses.
Proposed interconnection route
The Project is proposing to interconnect to the Hawaiʻi Electric Light Company grid via 69kV transmission lines.
AES Hawai'i is deeply committed to being an active, invested member of the communities we serve.
AES Hawai'i has a track record of successfully and sensitively engaging with the community and stakeholders near the proposed project. AES Hawai'i completed construction of the Waikoloa Solar + Storage project in 2023 which is now in operation and adjacent to the proposed project.
Continuing to identify communities and other interested stakeholders affected by the Project is an essential part of project planning. Upon award, the AES Hawai'i team began engagement with area organizations and leaders to provide timely and relevant project information and collect feedback to refine and finalize the Project’s design with community input.
AES Hawaiʻi's standard practice is to invite stakeholders to help identify others in the community who should be contacted, enabling the Project Team to continually expand its outreach. AES Hawaiʻi also welcomes input on stakeholders to include in outreach efforts through the Project website and hotline.
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Early stage outreach
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AES Hawai'i conducted early stage outreach by commissioning a public opinion survey to understand community sentiment regarding the proposed Project.
The public opinion poll provides initial documentation of the community’s support for the Project. Of the West Hawai‘i residents who responded to our survey, the majority (71%) said they would support a similar solar and battery storage project in South Kohala. The majority of residents who supported the Project cited that it would be good for the environment or climate and would reduce the cost of electricity. Similarly, more than half support the Project because it would help reduce fossil fuel use. Other key reasons for support of the Project include the understanding that it would create new jobs and be good for the community and the economy. These results will shape our strategy for communicating the Project’s overall benefits.
During our ongoing community engagement process, AES Hawai'i will directly engage with stakeholders and seek feedback regarding the Project. This process will identify project support and opposition, along with community-identified concerns about project design, location, and potential impacts.
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Comprehensive communications plan
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A significant goal of AES Hawai'i's Community Outreach Plan is to inform stakeholders and neighboring communities about the Project and its progress and collect their feedback. AES Hawai'i will continue to build upon our previous experience to provide timely updates through a comprehensive community outreach schedule. AES Hawai'i is committed to sharing important information about the Project before any community meetings. Specific tactics used to share information and gather input will include, but are not limited to:
- Issuance of Public Community Meeting Notice(s)
- Conducting Public Community Meeting(s)
- Conducting strategic outreach to area organizations, community leaders, and elected officials
- Dedicated Project email address (keamukusolar@aes.com) to gather input, comments, and questions
- Dedicated Project phone number (+1 (808) 800-3942)
- Construction and status updates will be posted on the Project website (https://www.aes-hawaii.com/hawaii/project/keamuku-solar);
- Issuance of monthly project status updates to our Project mailing list; and
- Public Community Meeting Summary posted to the Project website.
Our ongoing community outreach efforts include informing stakeholders and neighboring communities of the Project and answering questions.
AES Hawai'i will continue to plan for either in-person or virtual community meetings as requested. To support community awareness, AES Hawai'i will continue to inform interested parties about project meetings. Communications tactics may include issuance of media advisories a minimum of 30 days before a public meeting to Hawaiʻi Island and statewide media, including but not limited to, the Hawaii Tribune Herald, West Hawaii Today, Civil Beat, Hawaii News Now, KHON2 News, and KITV4 News. Additionally, public meeting details may be advertised in area community publications and provide email notifications to stakeholders and those who have signed up for updates through the Project mailing list.
Public comments supporting and opposing the proposed Project are compiled and shared with Hawaiian Electric, to be filed with the Public Utilities Commission.
AES Hawai'i believes in the importance of maintaining community collaboration and consultation throughout the Project lifecycle and has successfully implemented this strategy with Hawaiian Electric Company's RFP Phase 1 & 2 projects. Throughout this process, collecting, considering, and responding to feedback from stakeholders and neighboring communities has enabled AES Hawai'i to garner support and tailor each project to address and mitigate community-identified issues or concerns.
One of the earliest steps we take when starting a new project is to engage area community leaders, elected officials, residents, key government and industry organizations, and businesses. This approach enables AES Hawai'i to share information about the Project, build support and develop mitigation measures for community-identified issues of concern.
Construction related updates
AES Hawai'i is committed to providing project status updates via email to our Project mailing list at least once per month and in conjunction with key milestones to ensure community members and stakeholders have the opportunity to provide feedback as required by the RFP. The project website may also be updated on an ongoing basis as benchmarks are achieved.
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Community benefits
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AES Hawaiʻi understands that each community in Hawaiʻi is unique, with different issues, priorities, and needs. As outreach continues, the Project Team will gather input and feedback to further refine the design, inform future engagement. A Community Benefits Program (CBP) has been established that will distribute $3,000 per MW per year throughout the project's 20-year operating period to fund priority needs of the community for the Keʻāmuku Solar + Storage Project.
Early stage outreach has already provided preliminary insight into the type of community benefits West Hawai‘i residents value most. During meetings with the broader public and community leaders, the Project Team has explicitly requested feedback from participants on possible organizations, programs, and/or projects that should be considered as potential beneficiaries of the CBP.
As outreach continues, the Project Team will continue to consult and solicit feedback and guidance from the community on where these funds are needed the most. This feedback will form the basis of the CBP, ensuring it is specifically tailored to meet the needs identified by the host community.
To date, feedback from community members regarding potential beneficiaries of the CBP has included requests to support education, workforce development, and community health and well-being.
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Community meetings and presentations
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July 23, 2024 Waikoloa Village Association Meeting
Presentation: Keʻāmuku PPT- WVA meeting
August 13, 2024 Keamuku Solar + Storage Community Meeting
Meeting recording: Watch video here
Presentation: Keʻāmuku PPT Community Meeting
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Community Outreach Plan
Environmental Permits and Approvals Strategy
The Project Team has identified permits and approvals required for the Project, which are further described in the Project Milestones. As part of its commitment to engaging the community, the Project Team will keep community members and key stakeholders updated on the status of permits and approvals to ensure they can engage in the process and continue to provide their feedback.
Please click here for more information.
Preliminary Assessment of Environmental Conditions
AES Hawaiʻi is deeply committed to supporting the environment through sensitive design, construction, and operational practices. As part of this commitment, the Project Team had previously conducted a preliminary assessment of the environmental conditions at the site. More detailed information is being obtained through the due diligence and expert consultant studies.
Please click here for more information.
Cultural and Historic Resources
AES Hawaiʻi takes the Archaeological and Cultural Resources review very seriously. As we have done for all Hawaiʻi projects previously developed or currently in development, this project will undergo extensive Archaeological and Cultural reviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of the land and any potential impacts resulting from the proposed development.
Please click here for more information.