Moving Forward the Right Way

Hamakua Energy generates 60 megawatts of electricity for Hawaiian Electric Light Company, with an additional 7.5 megawatts/30 megawatt hours from our battery energy storage system (BESS). This is part of our power purchase agreement (PPA) with Hawaiian Electric. When the renewable project is completed, we will continue to provide the same amount of electricity — enough power for a third of Hawaii Island — using 100% renewable fuels.

Hamakua Energy has been operating for over 20 years, delivering power to Hawaii Island since 2000. The renewable project will allow us to continue our operations using 100% renewable fuels in late 2030. Our current power purchase agreement (PPA) continues through 2030, and a new PPA would begin when the new project begins operations.

About a third of our electricity is currently generated by renewable fuels, primarily biodiesel from Pacific Biodiesel, another Hawaii-based company. After our renewable project is completed, 100% of our electricity will be produced by renewable fuels instead of petroleum-based fossil fuels. This supports our state’s goal to use 100% renewable energy by 2045.

Using more renewable fuels at our plant will help us reduce our dependence on imported domestic and foreign crude oil to produce petroleum-based fuels. This will help with energy security for Hawaii Island. In addition, our new renewable energy project will be able to use various types of renewable fuels. This gives Hamakua Energy more flexibility and helps support our energy resilience, decarbonize electricity production, and advance our state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Hawaii Island currently derives electricity from a variety of sources, including wind, solar, geothermal, and conventional fossil fuels. Wind and solar are “intermittent” energy sources because they rely on the availability of wind and sunshine. Days that are overcast or don’t have much wind can affect the availability of energy.

Hamakua Energy was the first energy producer on Hawaii Island to adopt “firm renewable energy.” Unlike intermittent energy, firm renewable energy is not dependent on weather conditions. This means Hawaii Island families and businesses can have the electrical power when they need it.

The Hamakua Energy Firm Renewable Energy Project will add a new battery energy storage system that can store up to 30 megawatts hours of energy to meet the island’s electrical needs during peak demand periods. This will help with reliability.

Since our new plant will operate within the same footprint on about seven acres in Honokaa, it will not have any significant impact to the environment, water quality, noise levels or traffic in the community. Hamakua Energy is committed to making sure we secure all necessary permits and address any community concerns in a timely manner.

A number of site investigations and archeological assessments have been conducted in the past and no cultural impacts were identified. However, we have commissioned independent, third-party evaluators to conduct an archeological literature review and a field inspection, which confirmed there are no cultural impacts on our property since the project occupies the same footprint.

We welcome your feedback on our project. Employees of the Hamakua Energy team have long been a part of the Honokaa community. Many of us have deep roots in the Honokaa dating back to the plantation days. Hamakua Energy has employed local Honokaa residents across two generations. Operating responsibly, preserving our rich history, caring for lands and ocean, and upholding our cultural values are priorities for us. If you have any suggestions, please use our comment form so that we can be sure to document and respond to you. Mahalo!