Proposed Energy Projects

PROPOSED PROJECTS

Hawaiian Electric uses a competitive bidding process to secure new large-scale renewable energy projects. In this process, developers or independent power producers—companies that design, build, and operate renewable energy facilities—submit proposals to meet specific system needs identified by Hawaiian Electric in the grid planning process.

The procurement process applies only to Hawaiian Electric’s service areas on O’ahu, Maui, and Hawai’i Island, and describes the procurement of large-scale renewable energy projects on these islands. Other islands follow different processes, with Moloka’i and Lāna‘i addressed separately in Docket No. 2019-0178 and Kaua’i addressed separately by its utility, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative.

The projects shown below are generally part of the Stage 2 or 3 Hawaiian Electric Competitive Procurement. Information on this procurement can be found in Docket 2017-0352.

PROJECTS PROPOSED FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IN DEVELOPMENT (BY ISLAND AND ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE)

Project Name	Location	Developer	Capacity (Megawatts, Megawatt-hours)	Technology	Project Status	Estimated Commercial Operations	Tax Map Key(s)	PPA Price ($/kWh)	PUC Dockets	Information Links
O‘ahu
Mountain View Solar	Waianae	AES	7 MW + 35 MWh Storage	Solar + Battery	PUC Approved; Constructing and Permitting	April 2026	(1)8-5-003:031; (1)8-5-003:032; (1)8-5-019:035	0.1303	2020-0139	Mountain View Solar
Waiawa Phase 2 Solar	Pearl City, Waipio Village	AES	30 MW + 240 MWh Storage	Solar + Battery	PUC Approved; Constructing and Permitting	July 2026	(1)9-6-004:024; (1)9-6-004:025; (1)9-6-004:026; (1)9-6-006:036	0.1242	2020-0137	Waiawa Phase 2 Solar
Pu‘uloa Solar	Pearl Harbor	Ameresco	6 MW + 30 MWh Storage	Solar + Battery	Project selected by utility, Negotiating	2026	(1) 1-1-10-066	0.215	https://hpuc.my.site.com/cdms/s/puc-case/a2Gcs000003zrDlEAI/pc202401	Pu‘uloa Solar
Pu‘uloa Energy	Pearl Harbor	Ameresco	99 MW	Biofuel	Project selected by utility, Negotiating	2027	(1) 9-9-001-008	To be announced	To be announced	Pu‘uloa Energy
Mahi Solar and Storage	Kunia	Longroad Energy	120 MW + 480 MWh Storage	Solar + Battery	Under PUC Review	2026	(1) 9-2-004-010; (1) 9-2-004-003; (1) 9-2-004-006; (1) 9-2-004-012	0.2306	2025-0414	Mahi Solar and Storage
Kalaeloa Partners Combined Cycle Repower	Kapolei	Kalaeloa Partners	208 MW	Biofuel	Project selected by utility, Negotiating	2033	(1)9-1-031:023	To be announced	To be announced	Base proposal
Waiau Repower	Pearl City	Hawaiian Electric	253 MW	Biofuel	Under PUC Review	2033	(1)9-8-003:010; (1)9-8-004:003	Self build project	2017-0352	Waiau Repower
Maui Nui
Kaheawa Wind 1 (repower)	Ma‘alaea	Terraform US	30 MW	Wind	Project selected by utility, Negotiating	2026	8-001-001-6001; 3-6-001-014-6001	To be announced	To be announced	Kaheawa Wind 1
Pulehu Solar & Storage	Pulehu	Longroad Energy	20 MW + 80 MWh Storage	Solar + Battery	Project selected by utility, Negotiating	2027	(2)2-5-001-003	To be announced	To be announced	Pulehu Solar & Storage
Kuihelani Solar Phase 2	Ma‘alaea	AES	40 MW + 160 MWh Storage	Solar + Battery	Project selected by utility, Negotiating	2027	(2)3-8-005-002	To be announced	To be announced	Kuihelani Solar Phase 2
‘Ūkiu Energy	Puunene	Ameresco, Inc.	40 MW	Biofuel	PPA filed; Docket suspended for environmental review	2027	(2) 3-8-003:024	Under negotiation	2025-0356	‘Ūkiu Energy
Waena Battery Energy Storage	Kahului	Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.	40 MW / 160 MWh	Battery	PUC Approved; Permitting	April 2027	(2)3-8-003:023	Self build project	2020-0132	Waena Project Summary HE Self-Build Projects
Hawai‘i Island
Hamakua Firm Renewable Energy	Honoka’a	Pacific Current	60 MW + 30 MWh Storage	Combined Cycle + Battery	Project selected by utility, Negotiating	2030	(3) 4-5-002-056; (3) 4-5-002-057	To be announced	To be announced	Hamakua Firm Renewable Energy
Keamuku Solar	Waikoloa Village	AES	86 MW + 344 MWh Storage	Solar + Battery	Project selected by utility, Negotiating	2030	(3) 6-8-002-008; (3) 6-8-002-010	To be announced	To be announced	Keamuku Solar
Kaua‘i
Māna Solar & Storage	Kekaha	AES	35 MW + 140 MWh Storage	Solar + Battery	PPA Filed, Under PUC Review	2028	(4) 1-2-002:001	0.127	2025-0191	Mana Solar & Storage
Kaawanui Solar & Storage	Pakala Village	AES	43 MW + 172 MWh Storage	Solar + Battery	PPA Filed, Under PUC Review	2028	(4) 1-7-006-010; (4) 1-7-006-006	0.1334	2025-0198	Kaawanui Solar & Storage

Project information will be updated as information becomes publicly available.

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.

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.

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 O’ahu and Maui is combined and was approved by the PUC with conditions. Hawai’i Island has been approved by the PUC with conditions.

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 operational utility-scale renewable energy project listed on this website.

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANY

Hawaiian Electric is procuring resources as it phases out fossil fuels towards achieving the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. Hawaiian Electric employs a comprehensive competitive bidding process for renewable energy procurement across its service territories on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island. This structured process involves developing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), selecting projects, and negotiating contracts, all under the oversight of the Public Utilities Commission.

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