AES Hawaii — 203 MW Coal

Ranked as the 1353rd largest power generation facility in the United States, AES Hawaii plays a modest yet significant role in the energy landscape of the Aloha State. With a capacity of 203 megawatts (MW), this facility is primarily coal-fired, supplemented by oil as a secondary fuel. Commissioned in 1992 and operated by AES Hawaii LLC, the plant contributes to Hawaii’s electricity generation, albeit with a minimal share of only 0.01% of the national capacity, which totals over 1.3 million MW across 10,047 plants. While coal may not be the dominant fuel in the U.S. energy portfolio—natural gas holds that title—AES Hawaii is noteworthy as the 222nd largest coal facility among 297 such plants in the country. The technology employed here is traditional for coal power generation, utilizing combustion processes to produce steam and drive turbines for electricity generation. Nearby, the Kahe Power Plant, which operates on gas and has a capacity of 609.7 MW, significantly outstrips AES Hawaii in terms of output, demonstrating the prevalence of gas in the region’s energy mix. Other notable plants within a 50 km radius include the Waiau Power Plant and the Kalaeloa Cogen Plant, both of which also rely on oil, reflecting a regional preference for fossil fuels. Hawaii’s energy sector is characterized by a reliance on imported fuels, with the majority of its power coming from oil and gas. Despite being a smaller player, AES Hawaii’s coal-based generation provides a crucial backup, especially when the renewable sources like solar and wind cannot meet demand. The plant’s isolated location in the Hawaiian islands means it primarily supports local grid stability, contributing to energy security in a region where energy independence is a key concern. As Hawaii transitions towards a more sustainable energy future, the role of coal facilities like AES Hawaii may diminish, yet their historical significance in the state’s energy evolution remains undeniable. The plant continues to operate under the challenges of environmental regulations and the growing shift towards renewables, reflecting broader trends in energy production and consumption across the United States.