Electric Companies Seek New Renewable Generation

File photo.

The Hawaiian Electric Companies formally began the search for new, grid-scale renewable energy projects for O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i Island.

Qualifying proposals may be submitted through Monday, April 30, 2018, with selection of developers and contract negotiations expected in September. The requests for proposals and additional information are available online.

The companies are seeking the largest amount of variable renewable resources ever to be developed at one time in Hawai‘i, including:

• 220 megawatts (MW) for O‘ahu
• 60 MW for the island of Maui
• 20 MW for Hawai‘i Island

Developers have the option to include energy storage in their bids.

This is the first stage of a proposed two-stage process, targeting renewable resources to be added through 2022 so developers can take advantage of federal investment tax credits, lowering costs for customers.

Last week, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the companies’ proposed process, enabling the execution of the five-year action plan for more renewable generation described in their Power Supply Improvement Plan