Hawaiian Electric Companies Hit New High In Renewable Energy Use In 2012

Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship#KaimukiHawaii Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship#KaimukiHawaii

Kaimuki Hawaii
News Item
Powered by MBC NewsMaker
Hawaiian Electric Companies Hit New High In Renewable Energy Use In 2012
Tweet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hawaiian Electric Companies hit new high in renewable energy use in 2012

The Hawaiian Electric Companies reached a record 13.9 percent of energy needs from renewable generation in 2012 -- well on the way to passing the next clean energy goal of 15 percent in 2015. Added rooftop and utility-scale solar photovoltaic facilities on all islands, more wind energy on Oahu and Maui and increased geothermal energy production on Hawaii Island all contributed to this progress.

The 13.9 percent achievement was an improvement over the 12 percent reported for 2011. The information is contained in the Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light companies annual Renewable Portfolio Standard Report filed with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission recently.

"Our communities' strong progress in renewable energy is the result of the collective efforts of customers, energy suppliers and our companies," said Scott Seu, vice president for energy resources and operations. "Increasing renewable energy helps our utilities meet our clean energy commitments and renewable energy legal mandates.

"Most importantly, we need to keep pressing for more renewable energy to stabilize and lower customer bills, enhance the security of our way of life in Hawaii and protect the environment of our islands and the world."

Until 2015, the official renewable portfolio standard includes renewable energy and energy savings from efficiency and solar water-heating technologies. When these are included, the 2012 total reached 28.7 percent, up from 24.5 percent in 2011. A separate public benefits fee administrator reporting directly to the Public Utilities

Commission now administers energy conservation and efficiency programs. The Hawaiian Electric Companies collect the public benefits fee through customer bills and pass funds to the public benefits fee administrator, known as Hawaii Energy.

About Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)

For more than 100 years, Hawaiian Electric Company has provided the energy that has fueled the islands' development from a Hawaiian kingdom to a modern state. Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. (HECO), and its subsidiaries, Maui Electric Company, Ltd. (MECO), and Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc. (HELCO), serves 95% of the state's 1.2 million residents on the islands of O`ahu, Maui, Hawai`i Island, Lana`i and Moloka`i.

The energy we use is an essential but limited resource necessary to maintaining our quality of life. In a changing world, Hawaiian Electric has evolved to offer more than electricity.

Today, the company also provides energy solutions to help customers save money and use energy more efficiently. Hawaiian Electric also continues to pursue the use of more clean, renewable energy alternatives to help ensure a sustainable future for our islands.

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

Hawaiian Electric Company is dedicated to our community in which we live, work and serve. Rooted in Hawaii and one of the largest companies in the State, Hawaiian Electric takes the concept of malama pono -- to care for and serve -- to heart. The company and our employees have a long tradition of contributing with dollars, time and talent. Corporate citizenship is crucial to Hawaiian Electric's overall business plan because strong communities are essential to the success of the company, our employees and our customers.

Company and employee volunteerism is encouraged and every month, employees walk, run or provide manpower to dozens of non-profits throughout the State. Hawaiian Electric's corporate giving philosophy gives priority to projects that help families, promote education and protect the environment.

The company also sponsors robotics programs and events that promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) education, as well as the SunPower for Schools program bringing solar electric power to select schools, the Solar Sprint event where students design, build and race cars using solar power, and the Home Energy Challenge, a school-based competition encouraging elementary school students and their families to reduce energy use at home, among other programs.

For nearly a decade, Hawaiian Electric volunteers have provided manpower, bucket trucks and ladders to install Christmas lights at the Kaimuki Community Park and playground before the annual Kaimuki Christmas Parade in December.

Questions? Ready for an appointment?

Like Our Facebook

Kaimuki Hawaii News Item

Hawaiian Electric Companies Hit New High In Renewable Energy Use In 2012

Kaimuki Hawaii
News Item