AES Hawaii
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| ISIN | 🆔 |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded 📆 | |
| Founder 👔 | |
| Headquarters 🏙️ | Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
Area served 🗺️ | Hawaii |
| Products 📟 | Electricity |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| Parent | AES Corporation |
| 🌐 Website | aes-hawaii |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
AES Hawaii is an electric generation and storage company that operates as an independent power producer in Hawaii. A subsidiary of the AES Corporation, the company has operated in Hawaii since the 1980s.[clarification needed] Between 1992 and 2022, AES Hawaii operated the AES Barbers Point Plant, a coal-fired power plant that provided up to 20% of Oahu’s electricity.
Beginning in 2019, the company began operating several solar- and wind-powered electricity generation and storage projects on multiple islands for Hawaiian Electric, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, and the United States Navy. As of 2023[update], the company's operational energy projects have a combined capacity of more than 200 MWac (megawatt alternating current).
History
The first AES project in Hawaii was the coal-fueled AES Barbers Point Plant, which opened in 1992 and sold electricity to Hawaiian Electric Company, the electric utility for the island of O‘ahu.[1] The AES Barbers Point Plant was the first coal-fired power plant in the state[2]. Its opening marked a significant diversification in O‘ahu's electricity grid,[3] with the AES Barbers Point Plant supplementing O‘ahu's six existing oil-burning power plants.[2] Rated at 180 MWs, the plant provided up to 20% of O‘ahu's electricity and was one of the two largest power plants in Hawaii at the time of its construction.[3]
The construction of the Barbers Point Plant by AES was consistent with a nationwide trend of independent power producers constructing and operating power plants in place of traditional utilities.[2]
The AES Barbers Point Plant operated for 30 years before being retired on September 1, 2022; its closure marked a milestone toward Hawaii's decarbonization goals.[4] Following its closure, AES Hawaii transitioned to energy projects that rely on renewable energy sources, specifically solar and wind.[5]
Operational projects
Lāwaʻi Solar + Storage Project
The Lāwaʻi Solar + Storage project was the world's largest solar-plus-battery storage facility when commissioned in 2019. It was designed in collaboration with Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative and provides 11% of Kauai’s energy. The project includes 20 MWac of renewable energy and 100 MWh battery energy storage and won the 2019 Edison Awards for advancing the electric industry from the Edison Electric Institute.[6][7][8]
Nā Pua Makani Wind Farm
Commissioned in 2020, Nā Pua Makani is a wind energy facility located in Kahuku on Oahu’s north shore. The wind farm produces 24 MW of renewable energy that delivers enough energy to power approximately 16,000 homes.[9]. Despite efforts to protect local habitats[10], many members of the Kahuku community pushed back against the project, but ultimately state policymakers decided to move forward with the project to drive the goal of producing all of the state's electricity from renewable resources by 2045.[11]
Kekaha Solar + Storage Project
In 2021, AES Hawaii commissioned the Kekaha Solar + Storage project which was developed in collaboration with the United States Navy and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. It features 14 MWac solar photovoltaic array and 70 MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage. The project aims to reduce reliance on diesel generators and produce stable power to Kauai residents.[12][13][14]
Waikoloa Solar + Storage Project
Commissioned in 2023, the Waikoloa Solar + Storage project features 30 MWac solar photovoltaic array and 120 MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage. Located on Hawaii (Island), this project produces enough electricity to power approximately 13,600 homes.[15][16][17]
Corporate information
The company has been named one of Hawaii's 2023 best workplaces by the Pacific Business News Journal.[18]. Outside of energy projects, the AES Hawaii Foundation gives financial support to Hawaiian communities through partnerships with nonprofits.[19][20]
References
- ↑ "Our History". AES Hawaii. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Fitchett, Joseph (May 18, 1994). "Independent Producers Make Inroads". International Herald Tribune.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Juvik, Sonia P.; Juvik, James O.; Paradise, Thomas R., eds. (1999). Atlas of Hawaii (3rd ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. p. 264. ISBN 0824821254. Search this book on
- ↑ Shao, Elena (September 2, 2022). "Hawaii Closes Its Last Coal-Fired Power Plant". The New York Times.
- ↑ CNBC Coal Plant Closure
- ↑ AES Hawaii Lawai Project
- ↑ Honolulu Civil Beat Lawai
- ↑ Green Tech Media
- ↑ AES Hawaii NA Pua Makani Project
- ↑ Department of Land and Natural Resources
- ↑ Honolulu Civil Beat Na Pua Makani
- ↑ AES Hawaii Kekaha Project
- ↑ National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- ↑ Honolulu Civil Beat Kekaha
- ↑ AES Hawaii Waikoloa Project
- ↑ West Hawaii Today
- ↑ Honolulu Civil Beat Waikoloa
- ↑ Pacific Business News Journal
- ↑ KHON2 Supporting Local Orgs
- ↑ KHON2 Dry Forest Initiative
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