AES HawaiÊ»i has begun operations at Hawai’i’s largest photo voltaic facility – KÅ«ihelani Solar-plus-Storage on Maui – a renewable vitality venture that may generate sufficient electrical energy for 27,000 properties at 8-cents per kilowatt hour, the bottom value of renewable vitality within the state, in accordance with an organization announcement.
Located on 450 acres in central Maui, between KÅ«ihelani Highway and Maui Veterans Highway, KÅ«ihelani Solar-plus-Storage produces 60 MW of renewable vitality supported by a 240 MWh lithium-ion battery vitality storage system to produce 15% of Maui’s vitality wants.
AES Hawai‘i has a 25-year energy buy settlement with Hawaiian Electric that begins on May 31, 2024, to offer renewable vitality to Maui’s energy grid at 8-cents per kilowatt hour. In addition, the venture offsets the necessity to import two million barrels of oil to generate electrical energy for Maui.
AES Hawai‘i President Sandra Larsen stated that is the corporate’s first utility-scale photo voltaic venture on Maui and the most recent instance of how AES Hawai‘i is dedicated to supporting the State of Hawaiâ €™s. 100% renewable vitality and decarbonization targets by 2045.
“KÅ«ihelani Solar-plus-Storage exhibits what is feasible for powering our future if you mix a novel renewable vitality venture with community-minded companions to offer an necessary service for to dwell and work in Hawai‘i,†says Larsen. “We broke floor in July 2022, overcame the challenges posed by provide chain logistics, and at the moment are producing much-needed clear vitality for Maui’s energy grid.â€
Larsen added, “We acquired nice assist all through the event and building course of from our companions within the County of Maui and Hawaiian Electric and the community-at-large. The finish result’s that Maui’s households and companies will profit from having a state-of-the-art, dual-use, renewable-energy facility that may make a major contribution to supporting their vitality wants. island. at a really low value for the subsequent 25 years.â€
“With this venture, our state is taking one other necessary step in direction of attaining our renewable vitality targets. Increasing renewable energy and vitality storage will assist cut back our use of fossil fuels, shield us from the results of local weather change, guarantee dependable service and supply vitality safety for Maui,†stated Colton Ching, Hawaiian. Electric Senior Vice President, Planning & Technology.
Taking benefit of the dual-use capabilities of the venture website, AES Hawai‘i partnered with Ho‘oulu ‘Āina Farms in close by Waikapū to graze sheep on the land in assist of Maui’ s. agricultural and meals manufacturing wants.
The building of KÅ«ihelani Solar-plus-Storage and its operation supported almost 300 jobs and generated roughly $68 million for the Maui economic system, in accordance with the announcement.
