KAHULUI, Hawaii — With a goal to reduce Hawaii’s dependence on imported oil for power generation, on Friday, Hawaiian Electric selected Ameresco Inc. to develop a firm renewable energy project on Maui.
“Firm” resources differ from “variable” resources such as solar and wind in that firm resources are always available.
Ameresco’s proposed 40-megawatt biofuel-powered generator is expected to move the state closer to its clean energy goals while adding a reliable source of power. The facility will be built on property owned by Hawaiian Electric at Waena across from the Central Maui Landfill – Refuse and Recycling Center on Pulehu Road, according to a news release.
This latest project is part of a recent round of clean energy procurements that includes a total of 16 firm and variable renewable energy projects on Maui, Hawaii Island and Oahu. Three solar-plus-storage projects and a wind project were also selected for Maui.
Moving forward, Hawaiian Electric stated in its news release that it will begin contract negotiations with project developers selected for these projects. And for the first time, developers will be required to conduct community outreach in the areas they plan to build.
Once contracts are finalized with the developers, Hawaiian Electric will submit the contracts to the Public Utilities Commission for review and approval. Details on price and impacts on bills will be made public at that time, according to Hawaiian Electric.
The public can view a list of projects click links to each project website on the Renewable Project Status Board page.
Editor’s note: The headline has been revised to the correct spelling of Ameresco. (Feb. 7, 2024)
Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.