Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC), a prominent cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, has announced the commencement of commercial operations and dedication ceremony for Kūpono Solar. Situated at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam West Loch Annex, this solar and battery storage facility is now operational, bolstering Hawaiian Electric’s grid on O‘ahu.
The dedication ceremony, held at the Kūpono Solar site in Ewa Beach, featured key speakers such as The Honorable Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy and Chief Sustainability Officer; Captain Mark Sohaney, Commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam; Shelee Kimura, President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric; and Nicole Bulgarino, Executive Vice President of Ameresco, among others. This landmark project underscores its critical role in advancing Hawai‘i’s clean energy future, highlighting the benefits of its 42 MW photovoltaic solar array and four-hour 42 MW / 168 MWh battery storage facility, including stabilizing energy costs and reducing fossil fuel usage.
Covering 131 acres of Navy land under a long-term lease, Kūpono Solar now provides renewable energy to approximately 10,000 homes on O‘ahu while annually offsetting 50,000 tons of CO2 emissions. This initiative marks a significant stride towards Hawai‘i’s goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2045 and supports the Department of Defense’s sustainability objectives.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi praised the project as a pivotal advancement in energy efficiency and renewable energy, thanking Ameresco, Hawaiian Electric, the U.S. Navy, and Assistant Secretary Meredith Berger for their commitment to sustainability and community well-being. Governor Josh Green expressed gratitude for the project’s contribution to achieving renewable energy goals, emphasizing its importance in strengthening O‘ahu’s power grid.
Shelee Kimura, President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric, highlighted the project’s role in advancing energy independence and building a resilient Hawaiʻi, while Assistant Secretary Meredith Berger of the Navy emphasized the project’s significance in enhancing community and mission resilience.
Nicole Bulgarino, Executive Vice President of Ameresco, celebrated the completion of this milestone project, underscoring the collaborative efforts that made it possible and reaffirming Ameresco’s commitment to sustainable energy development in Hawai‘i.
The dedication ceremony brought together stakeholders from the U.S. Navy, Hawaiian Electric, elected officials, policy makers, community members, and industry partners, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind Kūpono Solar’s successful launch.
