The Marahú project consists of two planned solar plus storage facilities, Salinas and Jobos, that will incorporate the most advanced solar and energy storage technologies.
The project is designed to create long-term value and positive impact for both the environment and local communities and will support Puerto Rico’s goal of generating 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2050.
Community outreach
Project contact information
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Community Outreach Representative, Carlos Gonzalez, at MarahuSolar@aes.com.
Project overview
200 MW solar plus 200 MW storage and up to 285 MW of battery energy storage capacity
The Salinas and Jobos photovoltaic sites will generate 120 MW and 80 MW respectively. Both sites will also feature an energy storage system of up to 4 hours, which will give more capacity to existing plants.
80,000+ homes on the island will have their needs with renewable energy
Upon completion, the Project will deliver clean energy to the grid and is anticipated to power the equivalent of more than 80,000 homes, generating approximately 3% of Puerto Rico’s energy needs.*
Project details
Salinas site
Located on State Road PR-03 km 150.5, Guayama, PR 00784.
Jobos site
Located north and south of State Road PR-03 km 144.7, Guayama, PR 00784.
- 2025 estimated operational date with construction beginning in 2024
- Up to 25-year project life with AES Puerto Rico as the long-term operator
- Low and stable electricity cost approved by the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau, helps protect against volatile fossil fuel prices
- PREPA customers will receive clean energy produced by the project with transmission and distribution managed by Luma Energy
- At the end of the project's life, a decommissioning plan allows for the land to return to agricultural use or other uses consistent with land-use policies at the time
Project timeline
Economic and environmental benefits
We are committed to being a good neighbor and accelerating a responsible energy transition that benefits both the environment and local communities.
460,000 MWh
Carbon-free electricity generated each year, improving air quality and reducing CO2 emissions
Approximately $200 million
Expected to be generated in tax revenue over the life of the project.
Approximately 800 jobs
Expected to be created during peak construction
Clean energy benefits local communities
- Long-term tax revenue
- Job creation during construction and operation
- Project will increase patronage to local businesses and services through an expanded workforce
- Affordable, reliable, locally produced clean energy
- Compatible use: the land within the Project area is available for compatible agricultural activities such as rotational sheep grazing which promotes natural vegetation management and contributes to the local food production
- Social impact funding to area community organizations and non-profits
Best practices in safe, responsible and sustainable development
The project will be designed in accordance with the latest applicable codes, safety standards, security, lighting, landscaping and noise requirements. Non-permanent development and low-impact construction process that ensures land can be sensitively restored to pre-project conditions at the end of the project’s life
Environmental and technical studies
The project was studied extensively and carefully planned to have no negative impact on regulated habitats; threatened and endangered species or cultural/historical resources. We continue working with the applicable agencies to ensure we avoid unwanted impact on the land. Learn more about what has been studied:
- Project area and location
- Topography
- Flora and fauna
- Flora description
- Fauna description
- Endangered species
- Types and characteristics of soils
- Geological formations
- Regional geology
- Project area geology
- Geological faults
- Excavations
- Natural and artificial systems
- Caves and caverns
- Forests and natural reserves
- Wetlands
- Water bodies
- Sinks
- Residence and closest area of tranquility
- Classification and rating
- Land uses
- Soil qualification
- Water wells
- Flood zone
- Available infrastructure
- Drinking water
- Used water
- Rainwater system
- Electric power
- Access roads
- Telecommunications
- Public and private drinking water intakes
- Ecologically sensitive areas
- Cultural resources
- Analysis of environmental impact and mitigation measures
Community engagement
The community outreach team is actively engaging with and listening carefully to community feedback regarding the Project. We continue to seek input to ensure we are responsibly examining concerns. We are deeply committed to being an active, invested member of the communities we serve and where our team members live.
Outreach efforts
In addition to regular communications with local officials and agencies, AES has conducted community engagement and outreach events for the Marahú project. Some of these outreach efforts are described below.
- September 27, 2023: Community Meeting Centro Comunal Guayama-Salians
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In 2024, various community member meetings have been held at three local sites including the AES Ilumina solar site, with over 80 community member participants.
At stakeholder meetings, it is AES’ customary practice to introduce project representatives, inform attendees about the project and answer questions. In addition, AES solicits feedback from community members.
To request a virtual or in-person informational session please reach out to the Community Outreach Representative at marahusolar@aes.com.
Partnering with communities
Enhancing innovative entrepreneurship
Since 2018, AES Puerto Rico, in partnership with The Trust for the Americas (The Trust), has been implementing a community investment program, aimed at supporting local entrepreneurial community members and small businesses through formal training, mentoring, business plan acceleration and seed capital processes.
In 2023, AES Puerto Rico and The Trust focused their efforts on the development of strategies to strengthen business ideas and small ventures that can impact the entire island, under the economic paradigm known as “Low Touch Economy.” To date:
- 280 people have participated in the training and mentoring processes
- 120 people have participated in the entrepreneurship fairs presenting their business model in the “Pitch Tank”
- 73 enterprises have received non-reimbursable economic funds to strengthen their businesses
- 20 enterprises have received special non-reimbursable economic funds in recognition of the processes of growth and sustainability in the medium term
- For more information on our impact programs please reach out to the Community Outreach Representative at marahusolar@aes.com
AES is a proud member and partner of:
- Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association (PRMA)
- The Renewable Energy Producers Association of Puerto Rico (APER)
- Alliance for Energy Development of Puerto Rico (ADEPR)