Clearway Energy Group completes construction of three solar projects on the island of O‘ahu

Clearway Energy Group, 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‘ahu that will significantly contribute to Hawai‘i’s goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. 

The projects at Kawailoa, Waipi‘o, and Mililani total 110 MW and will generate low-cost, renewable energy equivalent to that used by about 18,000 O‘ahu homes each year. The three projects represent the largest block of grid-scale solar power ever developed in Hawai‘i and together will contribute approximately 3 percent to Hawaiian Electric’s renewable portfolio standards (RPS) goal, which reached 27 percent at the end of 2018.

The projects were originally proposed by SunEdison and were acquired by Clearway’s predecessor at the end of November 2016 during SunEdison’s 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.

With the completion of Kawailoa Solar and in conjunction with Kawailoa Wind, Kamehameha Schools’ lands at Kawailoa are now home to the largest renewable energy operation in Hawai‘i.

All the power generated by the three projects feeds into the Hawaiian Electric grid for the benefit of all customers on O‘ahu.