A new solar-plus-battery storage project is producing 30 megawatts of renewable energy for the Hawaiʻi Island grid.

The Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. Hale Kuawehi Solar and Battery Storage Project began commercial operations in Waimea on March 25 and is producing enough energy to power approximately 14,600

households with clean, renewable energy. It is the second solar-plus-battery storage project on the island.

“This project has multiple benefits for our customers on Hawaiʻi Island,” said Colton Ching, Hawaiian Electric’s senior vice president for planning and technology. “It supplies clean, renewable energy, strengthens the grid, and stabilizes electricity costs. With battery storage and advanced controls, the project will improve the reliability of the system by providing energy when it is needed.”

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Under a 25-year power purchase agreement, Innergex will sell energy to Hawaiian Electric at a fixed cost that is not tied to volatile fossil fuel prices. The project will offset the need to import 1.6 million barrels of oil to produce electricity.

To power the island of Hawai’i with clean and renewable solar energy, a solar field consisting of arrays of photovoltaic panels arranged in rows on single-axis tracking foundations charges the batteries through a 120 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system during the day to provide electricity whenever it is needed most, day or night.

“The commercial operation of the Hale Kuawehi solar and battery storage facility reflects the hard work of our teams and partners and Innergex’s continued commitment to providing sustainable and innovative energy solutions,” said Michel Letellier, president and chief executive officer of Innergex. “By combining solar energy with advanced storage technology, we are helping Hawaiʻi transition to a resilient and carbon-free electric system.”

Last year, nearly 59% of Hawaiʻi Island’s electricity was generated by renewables — grid-scale solar, private rooftop solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal. This percentage is expected to increase with the addition of Hale Kuawehi and from Hawaiian Electric’s ongoing efforts to procure a variety of renewable energy resources.