Hawaiian Electric reaches milestone with Maui battery project

Hawaiian Electric has reached a major construction milestone for the Waena Battery Energy Storage System project in Central Maui. The first six Tesla Megapacks have arrived and been installed at the Pūlehu Road site.

The project is designed as Maui’s first standalone load-shifting battery system. It will eventually consist of 54 units, totaling 40 megawatts (MW) and 160 megawatt-hours (MWh) of capacity. The system aims to store excess energy from variable renewable sources, such as solar and wind, and deliver it to the grid during peak demand periods, particularly at night.

Approved by the Public Utilities Commission in 2023, this is Hawaiian Electric’s first battery storage project. It supports the company’s goal to use 100% renewable resources for electricity generation by 2045. The system will also utilize grid-forming technology to maintain stability as the island integrates more variable energy. The project is expected to enter service in 2027.