A new platform for cheaper power, electricity on Maui
AES Hawaiʻi has started operations on Kūihelani Solar-plus-Storage, Hawai‘i’s biggest solar facility, located on 450 acres in central Maui. AES Hawai'i has begun operations on Kūihelani Solar-plus-Storage, Hawai'�i's largest solar facility, located on 450 acres in central Maui. The project generates enough power for 27,000 homes at just 8 cents per kilowatt hour, the lowest cost for renewable energy in the state. The facility produces 60 megawatts of energy, supporting a 240 megawatt-hour battery system, which supplies 15% of Maui's energy needs. It is part of a 25-year agreement with Hawaiian Electric and aims to provide reliable, low-cost energy for the next 25 years. The construction and operation of Kūlihelani have created nearly 300 jobs and boosted Maui’s economy by $68 million.
Publicerad : 10 månader sedan förbi Sandy Harjo-Livingston i Environment
HONOLULU (KHON2) — AES Hawaiʻi has started operations on Kūihelani Solar-plus-Storage, Hawai‘i’s biggest solar facility, located on 450 acres in central Maui.
This project generates enough power for 27,000 homes at just 8 cents per kilowatt hour, the lowest cost for renewable energy in the state.
The facility produces 60 megawatts (MW) of energy, backed by a 240 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery system. This supplies 15% of Maui’s energy needs.
AES Hawai‘i has a 25-year agreement with Hawaiian Electric. It began on May 31 to provide this low-cost, clean energy to the community.
The project helps reduce the need for importing two million barrels of oil.
Sandra Larsen, AES Hawai‘i President, highlighted that this is their first big solar project on Maui and supports Hawai‘i’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045.
“Kūihelani Solar-plus-Storage exemplifies what is possible for powering our future when you combine an exceptional renewable energy project with community-minded partners to provide an essential service for living and working in Hawai‘i,” said Larsen.
The project began in July 2022 and faced challenges but succeeded in creating much-needed clean energy for Maui.
“We broke ground in July 2022, overcame challenges posed by supply chain logistics, and are now producing much-needed clean energy for Maui’s power grid,” added Larsen.
It received strong support from the County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric and the community.
The facility benefits Maui’s families and businesses by providing reliable, low-cost energy for the next 25 years.
Colton Ching, Hawaiian Electric Senior Vice President, Planning & Technology, emphasized that this project is a big step toward Hawai‘i’s renewable energy goals, reducing fossil fuel use and ensuring energy security for Maui.
“With this project, our state takes another significant step towards achieving our renewable energy goals,” said Ching. “Adding both renewable power and energy storage will help reduce our use of fossil fuels, protect us from the effects of climate change, ensure reliable service and provide energy security for Maui.”
Additionally, AES Hawai‘i partners with Ho‘oulu ‘Āina Farms to have sheep graze on the land which supports local agriculture.
The construction and operation of Kūihelani Solar-plus-Storage have created nearly 300 jobs and boosted Maui’s economy by $68 million.
Ämnen: Environment-ESG