Ameresco to develop 40 MW Ūkiu Energy biofuel site with Hawaiian Electric support

Hawaiian Electric awarded Ameresco, Inc. recently for the proposed Ūkiu Energy renewable energy site in Maui – a 40 MW biofuel-powered facility the utility seeks for its offers of firm renewable energy and flexible capacity.

“We are honored to play a pivotal role in Hawaii’s journey toward a sustainable and resilient energy future,” Nicole Bulgarino, executive vice president of Ameresco, said. “The ‘Ūkiu Energy site will continue to reduce Maui’s dependence on fossil fuels and pave a pathway that not only benefits our environment as a whole, but also enriches the island’s local communities.”

In all, the site will consist of its generator and six fuel-fuel engines. It will be capable of integrating other intermittent renewable resources in the future. It has the unique capability of being able to help repower the grid during outages and provide the flexibility to allow current fossil fuel generators to dial down their idling engines to help reduce carbon output.

Once the contract between the two companies is finalized, it will be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission for review. If approved, it will then be built, owned and operated by Ameresco, but designed to interconnect with the Maui electrical grid through the Hawaiian Electric Waena substation. It will mark Ameresco’s fourth award with Hawaiian Electric.

All of Ameresco’s and Hawaiian Electric’s other collaborations focus on Oahu. One is scheduled to enter service later this year, with others to follow in 2026 and 2027. In all, those three sites should bring another 147 MW of energy to bear in the region.