Hawaiian Energy sees usage of renewable energy increase in 2023
Hawaiian Electric achieved a 33 percent consolidated renewable portfolio standard (RPS) in 2023 for Oahu, Hawaii Island and Maui County.
The 33 percent, which represents the percentage of electricity generated by renewable resources, increased by a percentage point from 2022. The company’s goal is to have an RPS of 40 percent by 2040.
The 33 percent RPS total was achieved through a mix of solar, geothermal, biomass, hydro, wind, and biofuels. Hawaii Island had the highest RPS at 52 percent, followed by Maui at 35 percent and Oahu at 30 percent.
Overall, the energy generated using renewable resources increased by 123,362 MWh, a 3.8 percent increase compared to 2022. Among the contributors, grid-scale solar generation was buoyed by the addition of Waiawa Solar Power, which came online in January 2023 and generates 36 megawatts and includes a 144 megawatt-hour battery. Also, Waikoloa Solar (30 MW/120 MWh) achieved commercial operations in April. In addition, new customer-sited energy resources, or private rooftop solar installations, totaled 65 MW.
It should be noted that the Maui wildfires in August damaged an estimated 6 MW of customer-sited rooftop solar, representing an estimated loss of 4,600 MWh. In addition, two Feed-In Tariff projects were destroyed, and Kuia Solar is offline due to previous fire damage and damaged interconnection to the system. Maui County’s RPS decreased by a percentage point from 2022.
Also, Puna Geothermal Venture’s renewable production was 40 percent lower than in 2017, the last full year of production from the facility before the May 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano.
In 2024, the company expects to further increase renewable generation and battery energy storage. West Oahu Solar, Kupono Solar, Mountain View Solar, Hoohana Solar 1, Hale Kuawehi Solar and AES Kuihelani are expected to reach commercial operations in 2024. Further, the Kapolei Energy Storage facility achieved commercial operations in December. This battery energy storage facility is expected to help displace fossil fuel generation and increase renewable energy utilization to improve the RPS.
Additional private rooftop solar and continued progress toward Puna Geothermal Venture’s return to full service are expected to further aid the RPS.
