Hawaii is on track to meet its clean-energy goals ahead of schedule, reported the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism on Monday in the state Energy Office’s annual report.

In the report, the Energy Office announced that as of Dec. 31, 2013, almost 18 percent of utility electricity sales were generated from renewable energy, passing the state’s goal of 15 percent renewables by 2015.

Established in 2008, the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative set a goal to achieve 70 percent clean energy for Hawaii by 2030, with 40 percent from locally generated renewable resources and 30 percent from efficiency measures.

The state plans to exceed the goals placed for Hawaii’s use of renewable energy sources, said Richard C. Lim, director of DBEDT in the report.

"As a result of this progress, we are now committed to going beyond the original target of 40 percent renewable energy by 2030 as outlined in the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative," Lim said.

The Energy Office said the state can beat its original target for clean energy with the widespread deployment of electric vehicles, making grid advancements and exploring the use of alternative fuels such as liquefied natural gas.

Smart meters, energy storage and undersea transmission cables can contribute to advancing the grid, said the state in its annual report.

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For the full report, see 1.usa.gov/1B043Nk.