AES recognizes the important contributions of the Barbers Point team as the power plant heads toward closure on September 1, 2022
AES Honors the People of the Barbers Point Coal Plant with a Mahalo Celebration
HONOLULU – August 3, 2022 – The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) hosted a special mahalo celebration on Saturday evening, July 30, to thank our dedicated team members who have operated the Barbers Point power plant over the past 30 years.
AES toasted our Barbers Point team members for their excellence, safety performance, and dedication in providing low-cost and reliable energy to the people of O‘ahu for almost three decades. The plant will close on September 1, 2022, as required under state law and as AES shifts its operations to renewable forms of energy across O‘ahu and the other islands of Hawai‘i.
AES’ Barbers Point power plant has consistently ranked among the top plants of its kind in the US, not just among AES plants but among all plants of comparable size and fuel source. That ranking was based on the plant’s consistent availability and reliability, as well as its readiness to provide the power needed under its contract by Hawaiian Electric.
The plant will close on its 30th anniversary date. Its closure is required by Hawai‘i state law that was enacted in 2020. The power plant opened in 1992 and currently supplies up to 20% of O‘ahu’s energy at the lowest-available cost to consumers at 12-cents per kilowatt hour. “For 30 years, our people at the AES Hawaii Barbers Point facility have worked passionately to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable energy to O‘ahu day in and day out,” said Bernerd Da Santos, AES Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
“The plant’s performance and the team’s commitment to operating safely and with the highest standards contributed to the growth and economic development of the island these past three decades,” said Da Santos. “As Hawai‘i and AES continue to transition to renewables, we recognize the hard work and dedication of all the people that have worked at the plant and look forward to many more years of serving the people of O‘ahu.”
Sandra Larsen, AES Market Business Leader for Hawai‘i, noted the people who worked at the Barbers Point plant are a tight-knit, community-minded team. Over the past 30 years, they have taken great pride in their work and responsibility to deliver reliable energy to the people of O‘ahu.
Larsen said, “We are incredibly proud of our talented Barbers Point team, and we wanted to celebrate what these last 30 years have meant for us, our families and the whole community. We believe it’s important to recognize their accomplishments and the critical role each and every one of them have played in meeting O‘ahu’s energy needs.”
All the coal plant employees will receive support after the plant closes, either with reassignment to new positions at other AES energy facilities or through career relocation services. Also, some long-time employees are choosing to retire.
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 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 in Hawai‘i, please visit www.aes.com/hawaii.
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VIDEO AND PHOTOS COURTESY: AES HAWAI'I
PHOTOS: https://f.io/EeTjtrvr
CAPTIONS:
• 1.AES-7.30.22- Kahu Duane Hew Lin and Kahu Kamaki Kanahele who delivered the event’s blessing
• 2.AES-7.30.22- AES Plant Manager Steve Barnoski, AES Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Bernerd Da Santos, and AES Plant Administrator Human Resources Antonette Berdadero
• 3.AES-7.30.22- Bernerd Da Santos, AES Plant Employee Max Guarniere and his wife Cici
SOUND BITES (in this order, starting at 1:54):
• (1:54) Bernard Da Santos, AES Executive Vice President & COO
• (2:23) Sandra Larsen, AES Hawaii Market Business Leader
• (3:14) Antonette Berdadero-Sun, AES Plant Administrator, HR
Media Contacts:
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Patrick Dugan, Anthology Group Phone: (808) 741-2712 |
Danielle Thomson, Anthology Group Phone: (951) 746-0097 |