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Barbers Point
Solar Energy and Battery Storage
Energy
Solar + Battery
Offtaker
Hawaiian Electric Company
Status
In Development
Capacity Gross (MW)
15 MW (60 MWh battery storage)
Location
Kapolei, O’ahu
Expected Commissioning
4th Quarter 2023
As part of a request for proposal for approximately 900 megawatts of new renewables or renewables paired with storage launched in 2019 by the Hawaiian Electric Company and its subsidiaries, Innergex is pleased to propose Barbers Point, a solar and battery storage project, to the O’ahu community. The Project has entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with Hawaiian Electric Company and was filed with the Public Utilities Commission in September 2020.
This project would be developed on land owned by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) in Kapolei on the island of O’ahu.
The project would power approximately 6,200 O'ahu households with clean, renewable energy.
To power the island of O’ahu with clean and renewable solar energy, a solar field would be built with arrays of photovoltaic panels arranged in rows. The solar array would charge the battery during the day to provide electricity whenever it is needed most, day or night. Barbers Point will be capable of generating up to 37,014 MWh per year.
A solar project of this nature also requires the following components:
- the solar photovoltaic system;
- a network of electrical collector lines;
- battery energy storage and inverter units;
- step-up transformers;
- a collector substation and transformer;
- an overhead generation-tie line;
- internal access roads; and
- temporary laydown (i.e. staging) areas for construction.
Land
The Project is compatible with all zoning and land use classifications, including Kalaeloa Community Development District / Hawai’i Community Development Authority rules and standards. These lands were deemed not suitable for homesteading due to their proximity to a nearby airport as well as their remote locations, physical characteristics, and lack of infrastructure for residential development. While all DHHL lands in Kalaeloa are zoned for Industrial use, several parcels were designated for renewable energy production in 2014 and that the highest and best use of these available lands would be in the renewable energy category as a result of limiting issues relating to land tenure, presence of historical structures, and topography. The area’s terrain is susceptible to sink holes and therefore more appropriate for low-intensity industrial use. Revenues developed from industrial leasing of these available lands are used by DHHL to develop new homesteads in suitable residential areas throughout the state.
Barbers Point must be connected to the grid to supply the community with the needed power. The Project is sited in a relatively remote and industrial area and not immediately adjacent to any existing or planned residential communities.
An interconnection route would be built and consist of an overhead transmission line that would extend from the Project switchyard approximately 0.25-miles northeast from the solar array to connect into the Hawaiian Electric grid.
The solar array and associated infrastructure would occupy approximately 100 acres.
Timeline
In 2019, Hawaiian Electric launched the second phase of their renewable energy procurement process, the single largest procurement effort undertaken by a U.S. utility, for approximately 900 MW of new renewable generation.
Community engagement is ongoing throughout the entire process.
August 2019
Request for Proposal Issued
November 2019
Request for Proposal Bids Submitted
January 2020
Short Listed and submitted Best and Final Offer
May 2020
Final Award Group Selection/ Contract negotiations begin
July 8, 2020
Virtual Public Open House
2020 - 2021
Public Utilities Commission Approval of the PPA
2020 - 2022
Complete Archaeological, Cultural, Environmental and Technical Studies and Obtain Permits and Approvals
Q3 2022
Estimated Construction Start
December 2023
Proposed in-service date for the project