AES Selected for 2 Solar Plus Storage Projects in Hawaii

AES  Distributed Energy has been selected by HECO to develop and operate two new utility-scale solar plus storage facilities on O’ahu, Hawaii.

AES  Distributed Energy (AES DE), a division of the AES Corporation, has been selected by the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) to develop and operate two new utility-scale solar plus storage facilities on O’ahu, Hawaii. Combined, these two projects are expected to generate a total of 137,000 MWh of locally produced, reliable renewable energy, serving upwards of 23,000 homes. 

“The projects represent AES’ continued commitment in helping the State of Hawaii and its people achieve their 100 percent renewable energy goals while accelerating a smarter, safer and greener energy future,” the firm issued in a statement.

The projects are among sixteen selected by Hawaiian Electric as part of the company’s Stage 2 RFP issued in August 2019. AES DE, a leading developer of solar PV and solar PV plus storage facilities, will develop two proposed projects on O’ahu: one will be a 19.5 MWdc PV facility paired with a 35 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), and the other will be a 60 MWdc PV facility paired with a 240 MWh BESS. 

“AES DE is honoured to be selected by Hawaiian Electric to advance innovative renewable energy solutions, helping Hawaii achieve its clean energy goals and reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels,” said Woody Rubin, President of AES DE. “We also recognise the deep economic challenges facing Hawaii at this time. The projects will not only deliver clean, locally produced renewable energy but will also provide jobs and economic activity at a time when it’s needed most.” 

As an early step in the development process, AES DE will hold initial public meetings to engage with the community and gather feedback on the upcoming projects. Construction of these projects is expected to begin in 2022, pending all applicable permitting and approvals, with completion scheduled in 2023. 

The firm at present operates more than 50 megawatts (MW) of solar and solar plus storage across Hawaii, including the 28 MW/100 MWh Lawa’i solar + storage project on Kaua’i as well as another 100 MW of solar + storage projects in development on O’ahu, Maui and Hawaii Islands, which were awarded under Hawaiian Electric’s Stage 1 RFP issued in February 2018. 

Recently, we had reported that Longroad Energy had also been selected by the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) to begin developing two utility-scale solar and battery storage projects for completion in 2023 in the state of Hawaii. The two projects include work on the development of solar projects worth a combined 160 MWac and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) worth 640 MWh.