HECO says 23.2% of its energy was renewable in 2015

Mar 04 - Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)

Hawaiian Electric Co., the state's largest electric utility, serving 95 percent of the population, said Thursday it hit a record high last year in renewable energy use across its three service territories.

HECO disclosed the data in its annual Renewable Portfolio Standard report filed with the state Public Utilities Commission on Feb. 26 . The combined renewable energy use for Hawaiian Electric on Oahu , Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light on Hawaii island was 23.2 percent, an increase from 21.3 percent in 2014.

Hawaii island led the other territories with 48.7 percent of customer electricity coming from renewables in 2015. Maui County , including Molokai and Lanai , recorded 35.4 percent and Oahu achieved 17.2 percent of electricity from renewable sources.

HECO's total passed Hawaii's 2015 renewable goal of 15 percent. The energy came from a variety of renewable sources, including waste-to-energy, biomass, geothermal, hydro, wind, biofuels and solar, both utility-scale and residents' rooftop systems.

"These are achievements that everyone in Hawaii can be proud of," HECO President and CEO Alan Oshima said. "Integrating renewable energy resources for the benefit of all customers is a top priority and these results highlight Hawaii's nation-leading commitment.

Oshima said a variety of renewable resources is critical to HECO's transition away from imported oil.

HECO said the Big Island hit a renewable peak of 68 percent last December, Maui County hit 63 percent in April and Oahu reached 42 percent in May.

___

Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.