Solar + Storage System Inaugurated by AES and KIUC Today
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The
AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) and Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative
(KIUC) today inaugurated the Lāwa’i Solar and Energy Storage Project,
the largest operational solar and storage system in the world. The
project, owned and operated by AES Distributed Energy, consists of a 28
MW solar photovoltaic (PV) and a 100 MWh five-hour duration energy
storage system, and will help Hawaii meet its goal of reaching 100
percent renewable energy by 2045. The new PV peaker will deliver roughly
11 percent of Kaua’i’s power, making the island more than 50 percent
powered by renewables.
“Kaua’i has adopted an ambitious renewables mandate and the Lāwa’i
project will help reduce its reliance on fossil fuels while generating
clean, reliable and affordable energy,” said Andrés
Gluski, AES President and Chief Executive Officer. “As a supplier of
power to Hawaii for more than 25 years, we are honored to have been
chosen by KIUC to help demonstrate its commitment to the state’s vision
of a cleaner energy future. We believe this project is a significant
step toward ushering in the wider era of firm renewables.”
By combining solar power with battery-based energy storage, intermittent
renewable generation can be converted into safe, reliable and
higher-quality power. The fully integrated Lāwa’i project will eliminate
the use of 3.7 million gallons of diesel annually, while supporting
three vital scenarios in power distribution – it allows for solar
generation to supply the grid while charging the battery system,
dispatches power stored in the battery system to the grid during peak
demand periods and can dispatch solar and battery power simultaneously
to answer spikes in demand in addition to supporting the grid through
provision of ancillary services.
Declining costs of solar, and use cases such as this project, will make
similar systems the smartest choice to leverage abundant energy from
renewables in many other parts of the world. AES is established as an
early market leader in firm renewables, with solar + storage solutions
representing half of AES Distributed Energy’s 128 MW under construction
and more than 250 MW in late stage development. AES Distributed Energy
is currently constructing an additional 19.3 MW solar + 70 MWh battery
energy storage facility for KIUC located on leased land from the U.S.
Department of Defense within the Pacific Missile Range Facility –
Barking Sands (PMRF) Naval Base.
AES is also continuing to develop firm renewables projects in Hawaii and
elsewhere with more projects to be announced in 2019.
About AES
The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 500 global power company.
We provide affordable, sustainable energy to 15 countries through our
diverse portfolio of distribution businesses as well as thermal and
renewable generation facilities. Our workforce is committed to
operational excellence and meeting the world’s changing power needs. Our
2017 revenues were $11 billion, and we own and manage $33 billion in
total assets. To learn more, please visit www.aes.com.
Follow AES on Twitter @TheAESCorp.
About KIUC
The Kaua’i Island Utility Co-Operative (KIUC) is a member-owned
cooperative serving 33,000 customers on the island of Kaua’i. Formed in
2002 and governed by a nine-member, elected board of directors, KIUC is
one of 930 electric co-ops serving more than 36 million members in 47
states.
AES Safe Harbor Disclosure
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Securities Act of 1933 and of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
those related to future earnings, growth and financial and operating
performance. Forward-looking statements are not intended to be a
guarantee of future results, but instead constitute AES’ current
expectations based on reasonable assumptions. Forecasted financial
information is based on certain material assumptions. These assumptions
include, but are not limited to, our accurate projections of future
interest rates, commodity price and foreign currency pricing, continued
normal levels of operating performance and electricity volume at our
distribution companies and operational performance at our generation
businesses consistent with historical levels, as well as achievements of
planned productivity improvements and incremental growth investments at
normalized investment levels and rates of return consistent with prior
experience.
Actual results could differ materially from those projected in our
forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties and other
factors. Important factors that could affect actual results are
discussed in AES’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”), including, but not limited to, the risks discussed under
Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Item 7: Management’s Discussion & Analysis in
AES’ 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in subsequent reports filed
with the SEC. Readers are encouraged to read AES’ filings to learn more
about the risk factors associated with AES’ business. AES undertakes no
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Any
Stockholder who desires a copy of the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on
Form 10-K dated on or about February 26, 2018 with the SEC may obtain a
copy (excluding Exhibits) without charge by addressing a request to the
Office of the Corporate Secretary, The AES Corporation, 4300 Wilson
Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Exhibits also may be requested,
but a charge equal to the reproduction cost thereof will be made. A copy
of the Form 10-K may be obtained by visiting the Company’s website at www.aes.com.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190108006058/en/
Investor Contact: Ahmed Pasha 703-682-6451
Media Contact: Amy
Ackerman 703-682-6399
Source: The AES Corporation