Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc. says it has begun the process of seeking more renewable energy projects that will help lower and stabilize energy costs for all electric customers on Oahu.
In accordance with rules established by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Hawaiian Electric has asked the PUC to open a docket to facilitate issuing a formal request for proposals (RFP) for new renewable energy projects on Oahu and to appoint an independent observer (IO) to oversee the procurement process.
Appointing an independent observer early in the process would allow Hawaiian Electric and the IO to collaboratively design the RFP and the associated technical, operational and performance requirements of any proposals, the utility explains.
Specifically, Hawaiian Electric is seeking projects that can be in service by the end of 2020. The utility says Hawaii achieved more than 23% renewable energy in 2015 and is looking to add more large-scale projects on Oahu.
“Our state is off to a good start to achieve 100 percent renewable energy, and it’s important that we keep up the momentum,” says Shelee Kimura, Hawaiian Electric’s vice president of corporate planning and business development. “It’s critical that we act quickly to add more renewable energy so our customers can receive the benefit of transforming the electric system that serves them.”
