AES Hawai‘i partners with Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative to plant native trees and support educational opportunities

WAIKOLOA, HI – January 29, 2023 – On Saturday, January 28, 25 AES Hawai‘i employees and their family members took part in a daylong tree-planting service project at the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, a 275-acre conservation area located next to the AES Waikoloa Solar + Storage facility, which will begin full operation this spring.

The service project is one component of a partnership between AES Hawai‘i and the nonprofit Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative. Under the partnership, AES Hawai‘i has adopted an acre of the forest preserve, planting more than 300 trees, making a donation to the Initiative and supporting educational programs that teach students the importance of protecting the environment and investing in reforestation on Hawai‘i Island. 

“The Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative is admirable with its objective to preserve Hawai‘i Island’s native trees. The goal embodies AES Hawai‘i’s commitment to a greener energy future and our goal to protect the environment for future generations,” said Sandra Larsen, AES Market Business Leader for Hawai‘i. “It’s an honor to support this impactful organization and contribute to their consequential work in reforestation and preservation of natural resources on the Island.” 

Eight Hawaiian Electric employees and their family members also joined the AES tree-planting service event, supporting the reforestation efforts. 

 “By partnering with us, AES is investing in the future of our native forest,” said Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative Executive Director Jen Lawson. “AES’ support is essential to our mission, as we educate young people about the importance of environmental protection and restoration. Support from AES and other generous organizations in our community allows us to expand important work preserving our island’s unique natural resources for future generations The kind of support, service, and advocacy helps us further our forest conservation efforts, while enabling us to plant more native trees and raise public awareness and appreciation for the dryland forest ecosystem.”

The AES Waikoloa Solar + Storage project is located on a 300-acre parcel along Waikoloa Road. It is the largest solar and battery storage project on Hawai‘i Island and scheduled to begin full operations by April when a 25-year power purchase agreement with Hawaiian Electric takes effect. 

When fully operational, the project will generate 42 MWdc of renewable energy supported by a 120 MWh containerized lithium-ion battery energy storage system, producing enough electricity to power the equivalent of 13,600 homes at 9 cents per kilowatt-hour, one of the lowest rates for energy in the state. The project is expected to reduce typical residential electric bills on Hawai‘i Island by about $2 per month. 

About Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative

The Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative (WDFI) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2011 to protect, promote, and restore native Hawaiian dry forest, a critically endangered ecosystem that once dominated the leeward sides of the Hawaiian Islands and is home to a diverse community of plants, and animals. WDFI has made steady progress toward this mission by engaging the community and implementing evidence-based forest restoration techniques. Today, WDFI works with a network of volunteers, advocates, and partners that help achieve their mission and increase environmental awareness in classrooms, and public spaces. With information, opportunity, and leadership, the local community has placed a priority on conservation of the region’s native forests and become central to the challenging work of restoring dryland forest. For more information, visit www.waikoloadryforest.org. 

About AES

The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 500 global energy company accelerating the future of energy. Together with our many stakeholders, we're improving lives by delivering the greener, smarter energy solutions the world needs. Our diverse workforce is committed to continuous innovation and operational excellence, while partnering with our customers on their strategic energy transitions and continuing to meet their energy needs today. For more information, visit www.aes.com.

In support of Hawai‘i’s 100% renewable energy goal of 2045, AES Hawai‘i is accelerating its commitment to a greener energy future with nine renewable projects currently in operation or under development in the state, more than any other renewable energy developer. These projects will collectively provide more than 300 MW of renewable energy, enough to power 120,000 homes statewide, while eliminating more than 175,000 metric tons of carbon emissions and more than 15 million barrels of oil consumption over the course of their lifecycles. For information about AES Hawai‘i, visit www.aes.com/hawaii. 

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