Hawaiian Electric has drafted requests for proposals (RFP) for potentially a broad array of renewable energy projects on Oʻahu and Maui that will enable the future retirement of generators that run on imported oil.
Subscribe today to the all-new Factor This! podcast from Renewable Energy World. This podcast designed specifically for the solar industry launches May 9th with a deep-dive breakdown of the Auxin Solar tariff petition, including the impact to PPA markets and corporate net-zero targets. “Hawaiian Electric is excited to embark on this next round of renewable energy procurements, which seeks to enhance grid reliability and address climate change,” said Rebecca Dayhuff Matsushima, vice president of resource procurement for Hawaiian Electric. “We look forward to working with the community, our regulators and stakeholders to further refine the RFPs as we work together to replace fossil-fueled generation.”
Once the draft is approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the company will seek proposals for a variety of renewable energy and capacity resources on Oʻahu and Maui that includes but is not limited to wind, solar, biomass and biofuels. Standalone energy storage proposals also will be accepted.
This draft RFP is unique in that it includes firm renewable capacity for both islands.
For Oʻahu, Hawaiian Electric is seeking at least 475 GWh annually of variable renewable dispatchable energy to be in service by 2027. The company is also seeking 300-500 MW of renewable firm capacity to be in service by 2029, and 200 MW of renewable firm capacity to be in service by 2033.
For Maui, the company is seeking at least 180 GWh annually of renewable dispatchable energy and at least 40 MW of renewable firm capacity to be in service by 2027.
Hawaiian Electric will evaluate the proposals submitted in response to the O‘ahu and Maui RFPs to determine a final award group from which to begin contract negotiations.
In 2018, Hawaiian Electric began the first phase of Hawai‘i’s largest procurement effort for renewable energy resources to meet the state’s 100% renewable portfolio standard requirement.
The second phase of procurement started in 2019 and was among the largest single renewable energy procurements undertaken by a U.S. utility.
From those first two phases of RFPs, nearly 600 MW and roughly 3 GWh per year of energy storage are in development and expected to be in service by 2024.
Upon approval from the PUC, this third stage of renewable energy procurement will be open to bids from energy developers locally and globally. Pending approval by the PUC, the first projects are expected to come online no later than the end of 2027.
