Hensel Phelps Starts Construction on 2 Hawaii Microgrid Projects

Highlights

• Hensel Phelps has started construction on microgrid projects at Hawaii Department of Transportation facilities on Oahu and Kauai.

• Each project will deliver a 1-megawatt microgrid with battery energy storage.

• The Oahu facility will include 41 EV charging stations and 570 solar panels.

• The Kauai facility will feature eight EV charging stations and 290 solar panels.

• The projects are being delivered through a design-build partnership involving Group 70, Stantec and Wasa Electrical Services.

Microgrid Construction Begins at Two Transportation Facilities

Hawaii is advancing renewable energy infrastructure at two state transportation facilities through projects designed to combine solar generation, battery storage and electric vehicle charging. Hensel Phelps has begun construction on microgrids at the Hawaii Department of Transportation's (HDOT) Honolulu and Lihue base yards following ground blessing ceremonies held with Sustainability Partners and state representatives on Nov. 7, 2026.

The developments are part of a statewide initiative to reduce fossil fuel dependence, expand transportation electrification and improve energy reliability across the Hawaiian Islands.

Oahu and Kauai Microgrid Specifications

The Oahu project, located at HDOT's Honolulu base yard, will provide a 1-megawatt microgrid supported by large-scale battery energy storage.

Its planned infrastructure includes:

• 570 photovoltaic solar panels, each rated at 580 watts.

• 41 electric vehicle charging stations.

• Battery storage to support onsite energy reliability.

The system is intended to provide renewable electricity for facility operations and support HDOT's expanding electric vehicle fleet.

At the Lihue base yard on Kauai, the second project will also deliver a 1-megawatt microgrid with battery energy storage.

The Kauai installation will include:

• 290 photovoltaic solar panels, each rated at 580 watts.

• Eight electric vehicle charging stations.

• Energy storage infrastructure to improve operational reliability.

Both facilities are active HDOT locations, making energy resilience and continuity of transportation operations important considerations in project delivery.

Design-Build Team Supports Hawaii Electrification Strategy

Hensel Phelps is delivering both developments through a design-build arrangement under the statewide Sustainability Partners Program.

The project team includes Group 70, Stantec and Wasa Electrical Services. The partnership brings together design and electrical construction capabilities for the renewable energy installations.

The two projects form part of a broader portfolio of energy and transportation electrification initiatives underway across Hawaii. Their combined infrastructure will support solar energy generation, battery storage and EV fleet charging at state transportation facilities.

Why It Matters

The two microgrid projects demonstrate how transportation agencies can integrate renewable energy generation and battery storage into existing public infrastructure.

For infrastructure owners and contractors, the developments highlight growing construction opportunities involving distributed energy systems, fleet electrification and resilient power infrastructure. The installations also support Hawaii's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the reliability of essential transportation facilities.

Source: Hensel Phelps.