{"id":779,"date":"2019-09-10T14:00:27","date_gmt":"2019-09-10T14:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clearwayenergygroup.com\/?post_type=press_release&p=779"},"modified":"2023-09-05T18:47:56","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T18:47:56","slug":"clearway-energy-group-completes-construction-on-three-hawaii-solar-projects","status":"publish","type":"press_release","link":"https:\/\/www.clearwayenergygroup.com\/press-releases\/clearway-energy-group-completes-construction-on-three-hawaii-solar-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Clearway Energy Group Completes Construction on Three Hawai\u2019i Solar Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"

The projects, including Hawai\u2018i\u2019s largest, will help the state meet its 100 percent clean energy goal<\/em><\/p>\n

O\u2018AHU \u2014 Clearway Energy Group (\u201cClearway\u201d), in partnership with Hawaiian Electric Company, Kamehameha Schools, Moss Solar, and others, has brought online three grid-scale solar power projects on the island of O\u2018ahu that will significantly contribute to Hawai\u2018i\u2019s goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. Commercial operations at the three projects were launched today following a traditional Hawaiian blessing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis successful partnership is helping Hawai\u2018i become less dependent on fossil fuels while becoming more energy independent, reducing pollution, and driving down the cost of electricity for our businesses and families. These solar projects are helping our state secure its energy future for generations to come,\u201d said Gov. David Ige.<\/p>\n

The projects at Kawailoa, Waipi\u2018o, and Mililani total 110 megawatts (MW) and will generate low-cost, renewable energy equivalent to that used by about 18,000 O\u2018ahu homes each year. The three projects represent the largest block of grid-scale solar power ever developed in Hawai\u2018i and together will contribute approximately 3 percent to Hawaiian Electric\u2019s renewable portfolio standards (RPS) goal, which reached 27 percent at the end of 2018.<\/p>\n

The projects were originally proposed by SunEdison and were acquired by Clearway\u2019s predecessor at the end of November 2016 during SunEdison\u2019s bankruptcy proceedings. In February 2016, as a result of SunEdison missing contract milestones due to its declining financial condition, Hawaiian Electric terminated the original power purchase agreements for the projects. Clearway and Hawaiian Electric ultimately renegotiated lower prices for the three projects.<\/p>\n

\u201cBuilding Hawaii\u2019s largest block of solar projects would not have been possible without tremendous teamwork and dedication from all of our local partners,\u201d said Craig Cornelius, CEO of Clearway. \u201cWe\u2019re particularly grateful for HECO\u2019s perseverance and commitment to these projects and are thrilled that they will now help power Hawaii with affordable clean energy for decades to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s satisfying to see these projects completed after such a long journey,\u201d said Alan Oshima, President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric. \u201cWe were criticized at the time, but we knew we were doing the right thing terminating the original contracts because it allowed us to work with Clearway to ensure these important projects came online and provided better value to our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the completion of Kawailoa Solar and in conjunction with Kawailoa Wind, Kamehameha Schools\u2019 lands at Kawailoa are now home to the largest renewable energy operation in Hawai\u2018i. \u201cThis provides opportunities for Kamehameha Schools to steward these lands in a way that reduces Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s dependence on fossil fuels while bringing \u02bb\u0101ina-based learning to haum\u0101na (students) in the region through collaboration and innovation as we work to fulfill our mission to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians through education,\u201d said K\u0101\u2018eo Duarte, Kamehameha Schools\u2019 Vice President for Community Engagement and Resources. \u201cWe congratulate Clearway Energy and Hawaiian Electric for reaching this significant milestone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a pleasure to work with the teams at Clearway Energy Group, Hawaiian Electric Company, and Kamehameha Schools, to bring these projects online,\u201d said Moss Executive Vice President Mike Little. \u201cWe are proud to have been part of projects that will not only help Hawaii reach its 100 percent renewable energy goal, but that will impact the state for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three projects are:<\/p>\n