Utility company Hawaiian Electric, whose subsidiaries include Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light, is seeking proposals for grid-scale renewable energy projects until April 30.
At the end of February, the company formally began the search for new grid-scale renewable energy facilities, which will represent the largest amount of variable renewable resources ever to be developed at one time in Hawaii, the company says:
- 220 MW for Oahu;
- 60 MW for the island of Maui; and
- 20 MW for Hawaii Island.
This is the first stage of a proposed two-stage process, targeting renewable resources to be added through 2022 so that developers can take advantage of federal investment tax credits, the utility says.
The Public Utilities Commission recently approved the companies’ proposed process – in turn, enabling the execution of a five-year action plan for more renewable generation described in their Power Supply Improvement Plan.
Developers have the option to include energy storage in their bids. Qualifying proposals may be submitted through April 30, and the selection of developers and contract negotiations is expected in September. More information on the request for proposals can be found here.
