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

The Hawaiian Electric Companies (Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Electric Light, and Maui Electric) reached a record 13.9 percent of electricity needs from renewable generation in 2012, according to a Hawaiian Electric news release–well on the way to passing Hawaii’s next clean energy requirement of 15 percent in 2015, which is part of the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).

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 release said.

The 13.9 percent achievement was an improvement over the 12 percent reported for 2011. The information is contained in the annual RPS report the companies recently filed with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.