PROPOSED ENERGY PROJECTS
In 2015, Hawai‘i enacted a law that requires electric utility companies to sell only renewable energy to their customers by 2045 (Act 97) — the first such mandate in the United States.
the first steps in implementing a utility-scale renewable energy project
Although each utility is different, typically the process begins with issuing a request for proposals (RFP) asking developers to submit bids to build a project and sell the energy to the utility. Developers scope out locations and develop cost estimates that conform to the utility’s requirements. The process is reviewed by the Public Utilities Commission through a quasi-judicial public forum. Selected bidders must sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that is reviewed in another public process prior to approval.
The Hawai‘i State Energy Office encourages developers, communities, and affected residents to begin working with each other when projects are in the early scoping phase rather than after a PPA has been executed. This allows communities and residents to contribute meaningfully to all aspects of the project’s development and gives developers the information they need to submit a successful bid and keep their project on schedule. This website provides communities and residents with the information they need to engage in the process and opportunities for public input.
TWO ELECTRIC UTILITIES DELIVER POWER TO Hawai‘i RESIDENTS
Hawai‘i’s fossil fuel power plants have provided electricity to Hawai‘i residents for decades, but they are old, inefficient, and rely on internationally-sourced imported fuels subject to volatile energy markets. Hawaiian Electric and KIUC need a variety of renewable energy projects to replace these plants.
Each new utility-scale renewable energy project must be submitted to the PUC for review and decision. Some of these projects have been approved by the PUC, others are currently under review. An individual PUC docket has been created for each utility-scale renewable energy project listed on this website.
HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANY
Hawaiian Electric is seeking new renewable energy solutions to displace the aging fossil fuel power plants that currently serve its customers. The 180-megawatt coal plant at Campbell Industrial Park on O‘ahu closed on September 1, 2022 – representing a step forward in the transition to renewable energy. It was the state’s only coal-powered power plant and provides approximately 16% of Oahu’s electrical energy during peak demand. By the end of 2024, the 38-MW oil-fired Kahului Power Plant, owned and operated by Hawaiian Electric, is scheduled to close. It provides approximately 15% of Maui Island’s 24/7 power generation capacity. In addition, Hawaiian Electric plans to retire its Wai‘au 3 and 4 generators on O‘ahu, totaling 93 MW, by 2024.
Hawaiian Electric is required by the PUC to competitively bid for the new renewable energy power production it intends to buy and sell to its customers. In February 2018 and August 2019, Hawaiian Electric issued Stage 1 and Stage 2 competitive solicitations for new renewable energy generation projects on O‘ahu, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island. Stage 1 produced eight utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plus storage projects. In August 2019, Hawaiian Electric issued Stage 2 of its competitive solicitation for new renewable energy generation and stand-alone energy storage projects on O‘ahu, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island. Stage 2 produced to date nine utility-scale solar PV plus storage projects and three utility-scale stand-alone storage projects.
The Hawaiian Electric Stage 3 Procurement was approved by the PUC in 2022. Hawaiian Electric is currently underwent competitive project selection and project selection were released in 2023. Projects selected in this process will require PUC PPA approval.
KAUAI ISLAND UTILITY COOPERATIVE
KIUC is in the planning stages for a solar + pumped-storage hydropower project in the Waimea District of Kauai. As proposed, the project would provide 18%-24% of Kauai’s electric utility needs including long-duration storage. The long-duration storage capacity (approximately 12 hours) will allow the island to run on 100 percent renewable energy for prolonged periods without sunlight and provide additional grid stability.
Hawai‘i State Energy Office’s Comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment published in August 2021 for the West Kauai Energy Project.
KIUC projects are not subject to competitive procurement; however, projects seeking any power purchase agreement require approval from the PUC.
Utility Scale Project Development Process General Summary
The figure shows the general process for a project moving through the competitive bidding framework. It is important to note that the PUC approves both the utilities’ request for proposals (RFP), the guiding document for project selection, as well as the individual project PPAs. Projects that do not go through formal competitive bids generally start the process at step four.
The PUC docket process is an open forum that allows for public comment at any time in the proceeding. In addition, each project must obtain the requisite federal, state, and county permits and approvals, many of which offer the opportunity for public comment. HSEO’s Hawai‘i Statewide Energy Projects Directory and Hawaiian Electric’s Renewable Project Status Board provide additional information on these projects and other utility-scale projects now under development or construction, approved by the PUC, or awaiting PUC approval.
PROPOSED PROJECTS AND UPCOMING RFPS
HSEO posts public input opportunities for each project as they are announced. Please contact HSEO if you would like an outreach event about a particular project to be added.
Hawaiian Electric Stage 3 Request for Proposals completed
The Hawaiian Electric Companies have filed RFPs with the Public Utilities Commission in Docket 2017-0352. More information is available on Hawaiian Electric’s Competitive Bidding Webpage. The RFP for Oahu and Maui is combined and was approved by the PUC with conditions. Hawaii Island has been approved by the PUC with conditions.
PROJECTS PROPOSED FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IN DEVELOPMENT (BY ISLAND AND ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE)
Project information will be updated as information becomes publicly available.
| Project Name | Location | Developer | Capacity (Megawatts, Megawatt-hours Alternating Current) | Utility’s Renewable Energy (%) | Project Status | Estimated Completion Date | Zip Code | Tax Map Key(s) | PPA Price ($/kWh) | PUC Docket | Information Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O‘ahu | |||||||||||
| Ho‘Ohana Solar 1 | Kunia | 174 Power Global, Hanwha Energy USA | 52 MW + 208 MWh Storage | 1.4 | PUC Approved; Constructing and Permitting | November 2024 | 96797 | (1)9-4-002:052 | 0.098858 | 2018-0431 | Ho‘Ohana Solar 1 |
| Waiawa Phase 2 Solar | Pearl City, Waipio Village | AES | 30 MW + 240 MWh Storage | 1.2 | PUC Approved; Permitting | June 2025 | 96797 | (1)9-6-004:024 (1)9-6-004:025 (1)9-6-004:026 (1)9-6-006:036 | 0.124197 | 2020-0137 | Waiawa Phase 2 Solar |
| Pu‘uloa Solar | Pearl Harbor | Ameresco | 6 MW + 30 MWh Storage | TBD | Project selected by utility | 2026 | – | (1) 1-1-10-066 | Under negotiation | Not yet available | Pu‘uloa Solar |
| Pu‘uloa Energy | Pearl Harbor | Ameresco | 99 MW | TBD | Project selected by utility | 2027 | – | (1) 9-9-001-008 | Under negotiation | Not yet available | Pu‘uloa Energy |
| Mahi Solar and Storage | Kunia | Longroad Energy | 120 MW + 480 MWh Storage | TBD | Project selected by utility | 2026 | – | (1) 9-2-004-010 (1) 9-2-004-003 (1) 9-2-004-006 (1) 9-2-004-012 | Under negotiation | Not yet available | Mahi Solar and Storage |
| Par Hawaii Renewable Combined Heat and Power | Kapolei | Par Hawaii Refining | 33.9 MW | TBD | Project selected by utility | 2027 | – | (1)9-1-031:003 | Under negotiation | Not yet available | Par Hawaii Renewable Combined Heat and Power |
| Base Proposal | Kapolei | Kalaeloa Partners | 208 MW | TBD | Project selected by utility | 2033 | – | (1)9-1-031:023 | Under negotiation | Not yet available | Base proposal |
| Waiau Repower | Pearl City | Hawaiian Electric | 253 MW | TBD | Project selected by utility | 2026 | – | (1)9-8-003:010 (1)9-8-004:003 | Under negotiation | Not yet available | Waiau Repower |
| Project withdrew October 7, 2024 | – | (1)9-2-050:003 (1)9-2-050:006 (1)9-2-049:006 (1) 9-2-050:008 (1) 9-2-049:013 | |||||||||
| Maui Nui | |||||||||||
| Kaheawa Wind 1 (repower) | Ma‘alaea | Terraform US | 30 MW | – | Project selected by utility | 2026 | – | 8-001-001-6001 3-6-001-014-6001 | Under negotiation | Not yet available | Kaheawa Wind 1 |
| Pulehu Solar & Storage | Pulehu | Longroad Energy | 20 MW + 80 MWh Storage | – | Project selected by utility | 2027 | – | (2)2-5-001-003 | Under negotiation | Not yet available | Pulehu Solar & Storage |
| Kuihelani Solar Phase 2 | Ma‘alaea | AES | 40 MW + 160 MWh Storage | – | Project selected by utility | 2027 | – | (2)3-8-005-002 | Under negotiation | Not yet available | Kuihelani Solar Phase 2 |
| Hawai‘i Island | |||||||||||
| Hale Kuawehi Solar | Waimea | Innergex Renewable Energy, Paniolo Power | 30 MW + 120 MWh Storage | 0.8 | PUC Approved; Constructing | March 2025 | 96743 | (3)6-7-001:025 | 0.087399 | 2018-0432 | Hale Kuawehi Solar |
| Hamakua Firm Renewable Energy | Honoka’a | Pacific Current | 60 MW + 30 MWh Storage | – | Project selected by utility | 2030 | – | (3) 4-5-002-056 (3) 4-5-002-057 | Under negotiation | Not yet available | Hamakua Firm Renewable Energy |
| Keamuku Solar | Waikoloa Village | AES | 86 MW + 344 MWh Storage | – | Project selected by utility | 2030 | – | (3) 6-8-002-008 (3) 6-8-002-010 | Under negotiation | Not yet available | Keamuku Solar |
| – | Project withdrew October 7, 2024 | – | (3)6-8-001:060 | Under negotiation | |||||||
| – | Project withdrew October 7, 2024 | – | |||||||||
| Kaua‘i | |||||||||||
| West Kaua‘i Energy Project | Kekaha | AES and KIUC | 35 MW | 15 | PUC Approved; Undergoing Environmental Review | TBD | 96752 | Multiple, See Directory | Varies | 2020-0218 | West Kaua‘i Energy Project |
STAND-ALONE STORAGE PROJECTS
| Project Name | Island | Location | Developer | Energy Storage Capacity (Megawatts, Megawatt-hours) | Utility’s Renewable Energy (%) | Project Status | Estimated Completion Date | Zip Code | Tax Map Key | PUC Docket | Information Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keahole Battery Energy Storage | Hawai‘i | Kailua-Kona | Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. | 12 MW / 12 MWh (1 hr) | N/A | Under PUC Review | TBD | 96740 | (3)7-3-049:036 | 2020-0127 | Keahole Project Summary HE Self-Build Projects |
| Waena Battery Energy Storage | Maui | Kahului | Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. | 40 MW / 160 MWh (4 hr) | 0.2 | Under PUC Review | November 2026 | N/A | (2)3-8-003:023 | 2020-0132 | Waena Project Summary HE Self-Build Projects |
Project information will be updated as information becomes publicly available.
ADDITIONAL RELEVANT LINKS