Hawaii electric selects developer to add firm renewable energy

In Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric has selected a developer for a proposed firm renewable energy project on Maui that is part of the company’s latest phase of clean energy procurements aimed at reducing Hawaii’s dependence on imported oil for power generation.

The 40-megawatt (MW) biofuel-powered generator proposed by Ameresco Inc. would help move Hawaii closer to its clean energy goals, while adding critical grid reliability with firm renewable energy. Firm resources differ from variable resources such as solar and wind, in that they are available at all times. The facility would be built on property owned by Hawaiian Electric at Waena across from the Central Maui Landfill – Refuse and Recycling Center on Pulehu Road.