In order to meet the state’s ambitious 100% by 2045 renewable portfolio standard, the Hawaiian Electric Companies plan to continue relying heavily on utility-scale solar and wind projects. However, these types of projects require a considerable amount of land, which is limited on each island in Hawaii.
Therefore, the Hawaiian Electric Companies have launched an effort to gather information about land that may be made available for future renewable energy projects. Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and the Hawaii Electric Light Co. have issued a request for information (RFI), which asks interested landowners to provide information about properties on Oahu, Hawaii island, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai available for utility-scale renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind farms, or for growing biofuel feedstock.
“Land is one of the most important resources to consider in the development of renewable energy projects. By proactively identifying potential sites, we are hoping to make the process of developing renewable energy projects faster and more efficient for both landowners and prospective developers,” explains Shelee Kimura, Hawaiian Electric vice president of strategic planning and business development.
To reach 100% renewable energy, Hawaii will need a broad mix of renewable energy resources. Additional large-scale projects are expected to complement the continued growth of private rooftop solar energy systems and energy storage.
Interested parties should submit responses to the RFI by Jan. 27, 2017. More information is available here.
