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Paeahu
Solar Energy and Battery Storage
Energy
Solar + Battery
Offtaker
Maui Electric
Status
In Development
Capacity Gross (MW)
15 MW (60 MWh battery storage)
Location
Wailea, Maui
Expected Commissioning
4th Quarter 2022
As part of the request for proposal process launched in 2018 by the Hawaiian Electric Company and its subsidiaries, Innergex is pleased to propose Paeahu, a solar and battery storage project, to the Maui community. The project received Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approval October 2020.
This project would be developed on Ulupalakua Ranch land, mauka of Piilani Highway in South Maui.
The Project would power approximately 6,900 Maui households with clean, renewable energy.
To power the island of Maui with clean and renewable solar energy, a solar field would be built with arrays of photovoltaic panels arranged in rows supported by fixed-tilt racking foundations. The solar array would charge the battery during the day to provide electricity whenever it is needed most, day or night.
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
Paeahu will be located on private land within the State and County Agricultural District but only requires a County CUP and not a State Special Permit. The Project must be connected to the grid to supply the community with the needed power. An interconnection route would be built and consist of an overhead transmission line that would extend from the Project switchyard approximately 0.5-mile south to connect into the Maui Electric Company grid at the Auwahi 69 kV substation.
Paeahu would utilize fallow agricultural lands, which has not sustained active activities since 2009 – the installation of a solar project would not displace existing agricultural production.
The solar field and associated infrastructure would occupy approximately 150 acres.
Timeline
In 2018, Hawaiian Electric Companies launched the first phase of their renewable energy procurement process. By 2022, the Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO) are seeking to add 390 MW of renewable energy to the State’s energy mix through a competitive procurement process. As such, HECO and its subsidiary companies, Maui Electric Company and Hawaii Electric Light Company, launched a request for proposals process in the spring of 2018 for clean, renewable energy projects for Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island that would help the state meet its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045, bringing more stable electricity costs to consumers and reduce its dependency on imported sources of energy.
Community engagement is ongoing throughout the entire process.
February 2018
Request for Proposal Issued
April 2018
Request for Proposal Bids Submitted
June 2018
Short Listed and submitted Best and Final Offer
September 2018
Final Award Group Selection/ Contract negotiations begin
December 2018
Executed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
October 2020
Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Approval of the PPA
2019-2021
Complete Archaeological and Cultural Surveys, Environmental and Technical Studies and Obtain Permits and Approvals
Q4 2020
Maui County Special Use Permit (SUP) Application was filed for the Project
Q3 2021
Estimated Construction Start
Q4 2022
Commercial Operation Date