Hawaiian Electric plans record boost in renewable energy

The Hawaiian Electric Companies are in contract negotiations with developers for seven solar-plus-­storage projects that would result in the largest infusion of renewable energy in state history and would accelerate the clean energy transition for Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island.

The talks are expected to produce long-term contracts for about 260 megawatts of solar energy on the three islands. Each solar project will be connected to a storage system that will capture up to four hours of electricity to further reduce fossil fuel use in the evening or other times when the sun isn’t shining.

“These large-scale solar and battery projects will accelerate our renewable energy drive at some of the lowest prices we’ve seen to date,” said Shelee Kimura, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of business development and strategic planning. “With support from our communities, these projects will reduce our reliance on fossil fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions while benefiting all with low-cost renewable energy.”

Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light on the Big Island already have more than 500 megawatts of renewable energy under contract in addition to nearly 80,000 private rooftop systems in operation. The cost of renewable energy continues to drop, aided by tax credits available to developers.

If approved by the state Public Utilities Commission, the projects will help displace another 1.2 million barrels of fossil fuel per year.

The seven projects are the result of a procurement process the Hawaiian Electric Companies began in February to expand their renewable energy portfolios. The utilities worked with the PUC to increase their original procurement scope for Hawaii island from the equivalent 20 megawatts to 60 megawatts, expedited project selection and increased the total number of projects anticipated in this phase of the procurement across all three islands.

The seven projects include:

>> On Oahu, three projects totaling approximately 120 megawatts and 515 megawatt-hours of storage

>> On Maui, two projects totaling approximately 75 megawatts and 300 megawatt-hours of storage

>> On Hawaii island, two projects totaling about 60 megawatts and 240 megawatt-hours of storage

Developers will begin outreach activities in the coming weeks with residents in the communities where the projects will be built. Community members will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed projects and Hawaiian Electric will file the comments with the PUC as part of the regulatory approval process.