Hawaiian Electric Companies submit seven solar contracts to the commission for review

Hawaiian Electric Companies have submitted contracts for seven grid-scale, solar-plus-storage projects on three islands to the Public Utilities Commission for review.

The projects are part of the largest and lowest cost portfolio of new renewable energy resources to be assembled in Hawaii. The projects – three on Oahu, two on Maui and two on Hawaii Island – will add approximately 262 megawatts (MW) of solar energy with 1,048 megawatt-hours (MWh) of storage. The energy storage can provide four hours of electricity that can further reduce fossil fuel use during peak demand in the evening or at other times when the sun isn't shining.

The prices for six of the seven projects are the lowest to date for renewable electricity in the state. The prices reflect the contractual flexibility that enables the utility to dispatch energy from each facility to meet the needs of the grid. All of the projects will provide stable, long-term prices in place of the volatile prices of fossil fuels. The seven solar projects are Mililani I (39 MW), Waiawa (36 MW), Kuawehi (30 MW), Paeahu (15 MW), Waikoloa (30 MW), Kuihelani (60 MW) and Hoohana (52 MW).