Hunt Discontinues Solar Project

Earlier this month, Hunt Companies withdrew from a proposed project that would have created a 12-megawatt solar farm in the Kalaeloa area.

The decision came after delays by the U.S. Navy to determine the eligibility of 540 acres to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Navy sold a portion of the land to Hunt Companies in 2008, and fee simple ownership is expected to be transferred in 2015.

“Due to the Navy’s continued delays with the determination (of eligibility), Hunt became increasingly concerned that the solar project could not be completed in time to secure federal and state investment tax credits critical to the financial feasibility of this low-cost, renewable energy project,” said Steve Colon, president of Hunt Companies’ Development Division in Hawaii.

The proposal was selected in 2013 by Hawaiian Electric Company to be a part of its low-cost renewable energy projects.

According to Colon, the project would have generated enough energy to power 2,800 homes.

“We believe these projects collectively are important to developing lower cost, clean-energy solutions for Hawaii,” he said.

Its initiative with HECO will not be revived, but Colon said the company remains committed to developing public facilities projects, like its Kalaeloa Renewable Energy Park.

“(We) will continue to pursue them vigorously as part of our strategic plan to renew Kalaeloa,” said Colon.

“Hunt’s core business is rooted in public-private partnerships,” he added.

“Public facilities projects such as affordable housing, alternative energy and government or institutional facilities are some of Hunt’s strategic public-private partnership pursuits, in Hawaii and on the Mainland.”