Hawaiian Electric announces approval of two renewable energy project contracts

- Total of four renewable energy contracts now approved by PUC
- Seven more contracts under negotiation (Four Diesel, One Naptha.)

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News Release from HECO, 7/9/2026

HONOLULU, July 9, 2026 – Hawaiian Electric recently received approval of power purchase agreements for two solar energy and battery storage projects, representing another milestone achievement in the expansion of renewable energy in Hawaii.

Last month, the Public Utilities Commission approved contracts for:

Puuloa Solar: a 6 megawatt (MW) solar project with 30 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage, to be developed at Pearl Harbor on Oahu
Kuihelani Solar Phase 2: a 40 MW solar project with 160 MWh of battery storage, to be constructed in Maalaea on Maui

There are now four projects with approved contracts from Hawaiian Electric’s latest stage of renewable energy development, which began with a request for proposals in 2023. The two previously approved projects are:

• Mahi Solar and Storage: a 120 MW solar project with 480 MWh of battery storage, in development in Kunia on Oahu
• Waiau Repower: Hawaiian Electric’s project to modernize its Waiau Power Plant on Oahu with 252 MW of fuel-flexible technology to power combustion turbines "capable of using biofuels" (translation:"diesel") when the first units come online in 2029.

“These approvals represent real progress toward more reliable and affordable energy for our communities,” said Brendan Bailey, Hawaiian Electric vice president of resource procurement. “We know how important it is for our customers to see steady movement as we continue towards 100% renewable energy. We appreciate the PUC expediting the review of these contracts to ensure they can take advantage of expiring federal tax credits.”

Bailey commended the state’s Committing to Reliable Energy and Decarbonization Innovations on Time (CREDIT) task force established by the governor’s executive order in 2025 for coordinating review and streamlining the development of projects eligible for the expiring credits.

How many more projects are in the pipeline?

Hawaiian Electric is currently negotiating contracts for seven other projects, which have been or will be submitted to the PUC for review. They are:

Oahu

• Puuloa Energy: a 99 MW firm "biofuel-capable" (Translation: "diesel"), generation project at Pearl Harbor
• Kalaeloa Partners: "biofuel-capable" (Translation: "diesel") repowering of the existing 208 MW firm generation plant at Campbell Industrial Park

Maui

• Kaheawa Wind 1: repowering of the existing 30 MW wind farm
• Pulehu Solar: a 20 MW solar project with 80 MWh of battery storage to be developed in Pulehu
• Ukiu Energy: a 40 MW firm "biofuel-capable" (Translation: "diesel") generation plant in Puunene

Hawaii island

• Keamuku Solar: an 86 MW solar project with 344 MWh of battery storage in Waikoloa
• Hamakua Firm Renewable Energy: upgrade of existing 60 MW firm combined-cycle plant to run on renewable fuels, (Clue: It will still run on naptha.  See LINK) will include new 30 MWh battery storage

How do these projects support reliable, affordable power?

These projects reflect Hawaiian Electric’s balanced approach to building a cleaner grid – pairing renewable resources like solar with battery storage and firm, dispatchable generation to ensure electricity is available whenever customers need it. Together, these projects will help diversify Hawaii’s energy mix, stabilizing bills by reducing dependence on imported fuels and improving grid resilience while supporting the state’s renewable energy goals.

Hawaiian Electric will continue working closely with developers, regulators, and the community to safely and efficiently bring these projects online between 2027 and 2033.

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Map: Solar farm sacrifice zones include most of Koolau Range.  LINK

Hawaiian Electric prioritizes two ‘Renewable Energy Zones’ – Kunia/Schofield, Koolaupoko – for future solar projects

Areas show promise for near-term renewable generation

News Release from HECO, 7/8/2026

HONOLULU, July 8, 2026 – Following extensive analysis and community input, Hawaiian Electric is recommending two Renewable Energy Zones – Kunia/Schofield and Koolaupoko – as areas of focus for future renewable generation projects.

The selections were announced in a filing last week with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. The PUC directed Hawaiian Electric to designate at least two REZ on Oahu by June 2026.

Renewable Energy Zones, or REZ, are designated areas with high potential for clean energy generation, such as grid-scale solar, that can be easily connected to the grid. They help focus development where renewable projects will be most efficient, cost-effective and impactful.

"Hawaiian Electric remains committed to building a clean energy future for generations to come, and the thoughtful and inclusive approach to developing renewable energy zones focuses our efforts on areas that make the most sense for renewable generation," said Colton Ching, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of planning and technology. "We look forward to working closely with community leaders in the priority zones to help build a more resilient grid."

Third-party data analysis and input from community working group members narrowed a pool of eight REZ to the four best suited for siting renewable projects:

Zone 1 – Kunia/Schofield
Zone 4 – Mililani Mauka, Waipio-Waiawa
Zone 5 – Kualoa/Hauula to portions of Halawa/Moanalua (Pave Koolaus in glass.)
Zone 6 -- Koolaupoko (Pave Koolaus in glass.)

Further input was gathered in April when Hawaiian Electric hosted public workshops on REZ at Leeward and Windward community colleges. Community members also provided anonymous input and comments on an interactive online map, which is included in the PUC filing.

Workshops also were held with state and federal government officials to identify government-held land that could possibly be used for renewable generation projects in the designated REZ.

Oahu Zones 1 and 6 are favored for near-term development because they:

• Show high scores across all priority areas
• Involve a relatively contained level of transmission upgrades
• Balance renewable capacity with manageable cost and risk
• Can inform future REZ as projects grow more complex

Prioritizing two REZ is the first step toward future renewable energy and transmission projects. Any future projects within the two REZ would undergo a rigorous process of community input and environmental review before approval and construction. Limited land and many competing land use needs remain a primary challenge to REZ development.

Key next steps for REZ development include:

• Holding discussions with state agencies and private landowners
• Tracking updates from the State of Hawaii's integrated land use study
• Advancing conceptual design
• Preparing developer procurement packages
• Continuing to engage and communicate with communities
• Coordinating project timing with regulatory approvals and capital planning requirements

Although other zones were not selected for near-term renewable energy generation development, all REZ will likely be considered for future development to meet the state’s clean energy goals by 2045. To learn more about Renewable Energy Zones, read the report filed with the PUC.

LINK: https://hawaiipowered.com/rez/cycle2/

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