Hale Kuawehi

Project and community benefits

A project that will bring many benefits to the surrounding communities

Construction and operation phases will create benefits in terms of new employment opportunities, as well as the use of local resources. Preference would be given to retaining local persons, consultants, businesses and contractors throughout the development of the project.

Thank you for attending and participating in the public open house held on October 29, 2018 at the Waimea Middle School and /or community engagement meetings. To have a look at our presentation and poster material, click here. The collated feedback received during the November 1 – 30, 2018 comment period can be found in the Consultation Report. Thank you also for attending the Waimea Community Association Project Update Presentation (June 2019).

Project Benefits

The County of Hawai’i’s Hawai’i Island Plan: General Plan 2040 states:

“Climate impacts are addressed in the built environment by efficient public investment in green development, increasing renewable energy production, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuels, energy consumption, and waste, and by educating the community in adapting for climate change.”

The Hale Kuawehi Solar Project will contribute to Hawai’i’s goals to address a changing climate as called out in the Hawai’i Island Plan. In addition, the South Kohala Community Development Plan 2008 recommends that the County support the development of more natural energy generating facilities due to its ample year-round sunlight. The Project will help contribute to this goal by potentially addressing:

Lower Cost, More Equitable, Stable-Priced Energy Feeding the Grid

The proposed price is less than Hawaiian Electric Company’s current cost of generating power with fossil fuel and the price Innergex would charge per kWh will be set for 25 years.

A Clean Power Future with Less Vulnerability

Knowing that the sun is a readily-available, reliable resource, Hawaii residents are supportive of the utility harnessing a renewable resource to improve the island’s energy stability and grid resiliency.

An Opportunity for Workforce and Local Business

The project will create employment opportunities, as well as the use of local suppliers. Preference will be given to retaining local persons, consultants, businesses and contractors.

Battery Energy Storage Systems Can Reduce Curtailment

The stored power can be dispatched in the evening—when rooftop solar is not available—to help meet demands of residents returning home to deal with dinner, baths, washing, and other tasks or during emergencies.