Half Of Big Island Power Is Renewable

Hawaiian Electric points to high-water markets for the consumption of renewable energy in the counties it serves.

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Nearly 49 percent of electricity provided to the Big Island by the Hawaii Electric Light Co. in 2015 came from renewable energy, according to a statement from HELCO’s parent company, Hawaiian Electric.

Maui County reached 35 percent renewable and Oahu is at nearly half that level, according to the statement released on Thursday.

Renewable sources include biofuels, biomass, geothermal, hydro, waste-to-energy, wind and solar — whether through large-scale production by the utility or on residential rooftops.

With renewable energy production ramping up over the course of the year, the statement said that top renewable energy use for a given moment on the Big Island peaked at 68 percent in December, 63 percent on Maui in April and 42 percent on Oahu in May.

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, which is the power company for the county of Kauai, has reported higher percentages of renewable energy consumption there.

Renewable energy sources, like these wind turbines in Kahuku, have contributed to the rise of cleaner energy sources in the islands.
Renewable energy sources, like these wind turbines in Kahuku, have contributed to the rise of cleaner energy sources in the islands. PF Bentley/Civil Beat

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