AES-El-Salvador-Eficiencia-Energética

AES’ Waikoloa solar plus storage project began commercial operations in April 2023 and is the largest project of its kind on Hawai‘i Island. The project’s energy storage system is improving the reliability of the island’s power grid while providing low-cost clean energy to customers when they need it.

Community outreach

Project contact information 

If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to our Community Outreach Representative.

Community Outreach Representative: Carrice Gardner 

Email: WaikoloaSolar@aes.com

Project Hotline: +1 (808) 800-3942 

 

Regulatory approvals and community outreach

September 1, 2022 | Presentation to Waimea Community Association

March 16, 2021 – Hawai‘i County Plan Review

June 3, 2021 – Presentation to Waimea Community Association

May 21, 2020 – Presentation to Waimea Community Association

Oct 9, 2019 – Presentation to Waikoloa Leadership Council 

November 13, 2018 – Early-stage public community meeting

Public Utilities Commission

Project benefits

$47 Million

AES Hawaiʻi is deeply committed to lifting communities. It is estimated that the Project would result in the creation of approximately 200 jobs and generate a total economic output of an estimated $47 million toward Hawaiʻi's economy.

$0.09 kWh

Under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the Project will deliver power at $0.09/kWh – one of the lowest in the state for renewable energy, and less than the cost of fossil fuel power.*

7.1%

The Project is anticipated to contribute approximately 7.1% of Hawai‘i Island’s energy needs.*

511,086

The Project is expected to result in total avoided fuel consumption of 511,086 barrels of oil over its 25-year span. *

*Source: Hawaiian Electric Company, PUC Docket No. 2018-0430

Project overview

Waikoloa Site Layout

Waikoloa solar + storage

  • 30 MWac solar photovoltaic
  • 120 MWh containerized lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS)
  • Feeds into Hawaiian Electric (HECO) grid, providing power to Hawai‘i Island customers
  • Located in South Kohala District of Hawai‘i Island
  • Utilizes approximately 300 acres of land along Waikoloa Road
  • 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
  • Includes decommissioning and return of Project area to its existing condition (or comparable) at end of lifespan

Project timeline

Project details

Collaboration and engagement

AES Hawaiʻi is deeply committed to becoming an active, invested member in the communities we serve.

 

Community input

Throughout the process, AES Hawaiʻi has and will continue to engage and listen carefully to community feedback on the Project. Specific issues identified by the community thus far are actively being addressed and we continue to seek input to ensure we are responsibly examining concerns.

 

Traffic

AES Hawaiʻi is committed to minimizing our impacts on Hawai‘i Island commuters.

  • Construction Traffic Management Plan – During the 12-month construction phase, a traffic management plan is being implemented to minimize traffic impacts and to ensure the safety of all commuters.
  • Where possible, delivery hours will be coordinated during off-peak hours (from 8 AM - 2 PM.)
  • Parking and equipment laydown – Parking and equipment laydown will be located within the Project site.
  • Minimal Operational Vehicles and Traffic – upon completion, only 1-2 vehicles per day will be required to operate and maintain the Project.

 

Fire and safety

Brushfires are a significant community concern and AES Hawaiʻi takes this issue very seriously.

  • Fire Suppression – Each battery storage container is equipped with a fire suppression system that will minimize the risk of fire from Project components.
  • Firebreaks – A non-vegetated firebreak will encircle the Project area as well as each battery storage area to further reduce fire risk.
  • Vegetation Management – AES Hawaiʻi will actively maintain the vegetation on-site to minimize the risk of brushfires spreading through the property.

 

Unexploded ordinance (UXO)

  • Safety is AES' number one priority. The Project area is within the Former Waikoloa Maneuver Area.
  • Site-Specific Safety Plan has been developed prior to construction activities in accordance with the State of Hawai‘i Areawide Environmental Hazard Management Plan.

 

Visual impacts

Community members have raised visual impacts as an important consideration.

  • Sensitive Siting –As much as possible, the Project has been designed and laid out to reduce visual impacts, especially from neighboring communities.
  • Visual Simulations and View Planes –To better understand the visual impacts, AES Hawaiʻi prepared renderings to simulate views of the project from various vantage points. View and download visual simulations below.

 

Culture and archaeology

AES Hawaiʻi recognizes we have a responsibility to respectfully address archaeological and cultural resources early in the process. With this understanding, we started the Project by conducting a Cultural Assessment and an Archaeological Inventory Survey (AIS).

 

Visual simulations

Waikoloa_Existing

Existing Conditions

Waikoloa_Simulated

Simulated conditions

waikoloa_sunrise

Contact us

We appreciate your interest and participation in Hawai'i’s renewable energy future. We look forward to hearing your ideas, thoughts and comments.

Community Outreach Representative: Carrice Gardner

Project Hotline: +1 (808) 800-3942

Email: WaikoloaSolar@aes.com

Hawai'i’s 100% clean energy future –

 Locally produced renewable energy

In 2008, the State of Hawai'i established a goal to reduce the state’s reliance on imported fossil fuel and produce 100% of electricity from renewable energy sources by the year 2045. In 2018, the Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO) issued the largest ever Request for Proposals (RFP) for renewable energy in the state’s history. Through that process, eight projects were selected including AES Hawaiʻi's Waikoloa Solar + Storage Project.