The AES Waikoloa Solar + Storage project is being tested up to 85% of its capacity, producing clean energy for Hawaiian Electric to provide the Hawai‘i Island grid with electricity at 9 cents per kilowatt-hour, one of the lowest rates for energy in the state.

The AES Waikoloa project is Hawai‘i Island’s largest solar and battery storage project and on schedule to begin full operations by April 2023, or earlier, when a 25-year power purchase agreement with Hawaiian Electric takes effect. When fully operational, the project is expected to reduce typical residential bills on Hawai‘i Island about $2 a month. Sandra Larsen, AES Market Business Leader for Hawai‘i, said this collaboration with Hawaiian Electric, as final construction and testing of the Waikoloa project is completed, will benefit Hawai‘i Island’s residents, businesses and the environment. Testing of the project has begun and will continue in January.

When the Waikoloa project completes testing, it will provide an additional generation resource to help meet demand when other resources are unavailable.

When fully operational, the Waikoloa project will generate 42.2 megawatts (DC) of renewable energy supported by a 120 MWh containerized lithium-ion battery energy storage system.

Located along Waikoloa Road on a 300-acre parcel about 7.5 miles from the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, the Waikoloa project broke ground in April 2021. Construction to install the photovoltaic solar panels and battery storage system began in November 2021. The solar panels and batteries are now fully installed, with testing of the facility ongoing until the project is 100% powered and approved to begin full operations.