Hawaiian Electric, a utility company, has unveiled its comprehensive plan to achieve complete reliance on renewable resources by 2045. The company has set intermediate goals for the inclusion of renewable energy generation and rooftop solar installations by 2030.
Outlined in their Integrated Grid Plan titled “A pathway to a clean energy future,” Hawaiian Electric aims to implement programs that will alleviate barriers for customers with low to moderate incomes, enabling them to install private rooftop solar and participate in shared solar projects.
As part of their strategy, the company has set a target to deploy a total of 125,000 private rooftop solar systems and energy storage units. These systems will have a combined capacity of 1,186 MW, and households and businesses across Oʻahu, Hawai'i Island, Maui, Lānaʻi, and Moloka'i will benefit from 3,400 MWh of energy efficiency measures.
Initially, Hawaiian Electric had planned to reduce its carbon emissions from power generation by 70% by 2030, with the addition of 50,000 rooftop solar systems and 1 GW of renewable energy capacity. However, after conducting extensive research and engaging with stakeholders, the company revised its goals.
Furthermore, Hawaiian Electric intends to enhance rate stability by incorporating large-scale renewable energy generation and energy storage. The proposal outlines the addition of over 3.7 GW of hybrid solar, energy storage, and firm renewables by 2030. This includes the consideration of bids for up to 1.34 GW from Stage 3 procurements issued earlier this year. By 2030, these additions could displace more than 540 MW of fossil-fuel-based generation from the company's daily operations.
The successful implementation of this plan necessitates the development of improved energy policies, streamlined regulatory processes, active community engagement, and immediate action. Colton Ching, the senior vice president of planning and technology at Hawaiian Electric, emphasized the urgency of creating a resilient and clean energy grid, especially as the impacts of climate change intensify, existing infrastructure ages, and time frames become more limited.
Apart from solar power, Hawaiian Electric envisions the inclusion of geothermal energy, renewable hydrogen, biomass/biofuels, and ocean thermal energy conversion in their diverse portfolio of resources. These options will contribute to the company's firm generation capabilities.
The company acknowledges that energy rates may experience an initial increase during the transition to clean energy. However, the long-term outlook indicates that rates will be lower and less volatile compared to continuing reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation.
Colton Ching emphasized that the plan strikes a delicate balance between a swift transition to renewable energy, ensuring reliable power supply, stabilizing bills, and advancing energy equity. The concerns of affordability and reliability rank high among customers, underscoring the company's commitment to address these aspects.
By incorporating renewable energy sources and adopting a comprehensive approach, Hawaiian Electric aims to create a sustainable and resilient energy grid that meets the growing demands of a changing climate and an evolving energy landscape.
