New utility-scale solar project proposed near Waikōloa; online community meeting slated

AES Hawai‘i, a global energy company that creates greener, smarter and innovative energy solutions, is proposing a utility-scale solar project near Waikōloa on the Big Island and will host an online meeting for the community to learn more about it.

The Keʻāmuku Solar + Storage project is a proposed 86 megawatt alternating current solar photo-voltaic array and 344 megawatt hour battery energy storage system that would be located on land owned by AES Hawai‘i adjacent to Waikōloa Road and Māmalahoa Highway.

Keʻāmuku Solar + Storage could generate 20% of the Big Island’s energy needs, powering more than 35,000 homes and delivering it at a low, fixed cost to the entire island under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Hawaiian Electric.

The project proposes to interconnect to the Hawaiʻi Electric grid at a newly proposed Keʻāmuku substation, which will be rebuilt on land 350 to 500 feet away from the existing Hawaiʻi Electric Keʻāmuku substation.

The preliminary project area is expected to be up to 525 acres, and AES Hawai‘i hopes to reduce the project area even more. The land will be restored to its existing condition, or comparable, at the end of the project’s life.

The online meeting via Zoom is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13. AES Hawai‘i team members will be on hand to provide an overview of the project, answer questions and gather feedback from the community.

Those who plan to attend are encouraged to RSVP by email at keamukusolar@aes.com. The link to participate in the Zoom meeting can be accessed here.

For more information about the project, click here.