About AES
Founded in 1981, The AES Corporation (AES) is a Fortune 500 global energy company accelerating the future of energy. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AES delivers innovative clean energy solutions that are flexible and tailored to meet the specific needs of our customers and communities.
We are committed to responsible clean energy development that creates long-term value and positive impact for both the environment and local communities.
Our work
AES owns and operates more than 540 utility-scale and community solar, wind, energy storage and hybrid projects across 24 states in the US. We deliver cost-competitive clean energy to utilities, communities, corporations, and organizations to meet their clean energy and sustainability commitments both today and into the future.
Making a positive community impact
Our projects are intentionally designed to create positive environmental and economic benefit in the community over a project’s life without burdening existing infrastructure.
- Long-term tax revenue to counties, towns and school districts
- Job creation during construction and operation
- Landowner income diversification, keeping land in the family
- Local economic stimulus during construction
- Affordable, reliable, locally produced clean energy
- Improved air quality and reduced CO2 emissions
- Social impact funding to area community organizations and non-profits
- Non-permanent development and low-impact construction that ensures land can be sensitively restored to pre-project conditions at the end of the project’s life
Best practices in responsible and sustainable development
As AES, safety is our highest priority, and we have had a focus on improving lives for more than 40 years. As a leading innovator in energy solutions, sustainability is core to both our strategy and our culture. We are committed to responsible land use and incorporating sustainable best practices into the entire project lifecycle, contributing to building a domestic circular renewables economy.
Innovations in sustainable development
Thoughtful design
- Vegetative buffers, including pollinator mixes and native grasses
- Robust, nutrient-rich ground cover
- Agrivoltaics, pollinator habitats and other innovative dual uses
- Comprehensive environmental studies
Low impact construction
- No concrete foundations for racking systems
- Minimal to no grading
- Erosion and sediment control measures
- Local workforce opportunities
Maintenance innovations
- Vegetation management with grazing sheep and pigs
- Spot weed control
- Care for vegetative buffers and native species
- Long-term local workforce opportunities
Responsible decommissioning
- Decommissioning plan
- Supply chain sustainability
- Partnership with SOLARCYCLE to assess recycling opportunities for end-of-life solar materials
Partnering for access to safe, efficient and affordable energy and basic services
Community care first
AES has partnered with Watts of Love to deliver 300 handheld solar powered lights to residents of the Navajo Nation, where communities experience lack of access to basic electricity. This partnership helps bring light to communities that typically rely on kerosene and batteries to light their homes.
Partnering for inclusive economic growth
Connecting local jobs
AES held a job fair for our Oak Ridge solar project, in partnership with the project Ⓒ EPC contractor, to connect community members with local job opportunities. The job fair was attended by over 150 members of the Morehouse Parish, Louisiana community. This attendance resulted in AES partnering with the Louisiana Delta Community College to provide scholarships to job seekers interested in pursuing a Heavy Equipment Operator certification through the College.
Partnering for the environment
Habitat preservation
AES and Aspen Valley Trust entered a partnership to support a land conservation easement for 185 acres in western Colorado that will serve as critical wildlife habitat. This land conservation easement was the result of AES’ close collaboration with the Aspen Valley Land Trust and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Partnering for community resilience
Disaster relief
AES provides funding and support to the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program to power readiness for the Red Cross to respond to more than 60,000 disasters each year - providing safe shelter, hot meals, emotional support and resources to aid in recovery. Some AES people have also joined the Responder program as volunteers.