The company has submitted applications to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
The projects include 20MW Hoohana solar project in the Kunia area in Central Oahu off Plantation Road, 49MW Kawailoa solar in Waialua, 15MW Lanikuhana solar in Mililani, 46MW Waiawa PV in Waipio, 28MW Waianae solar off Ala Akau Street, 50MW Waiawa solar just east of the H-2 Freeway and the Ka Uka Interchange in Central Oahu.
The projects, which are being developed by SunEdison, First Wind, Eurus Energy America and FCHQC Development, will help Hawaiian Electric achieve its goal of 65% renewable energy by 2030.
The projects are part of Hawaiian Electric’s energy plans, which intend to reduce electric bills and give customers more service options to nearly triple the amount of distributed solar.
Hawaiian Electric vice president for corporate planning and business development Shelee Kimura said: "Our companies have never before signed agreements for this much new renewable energy at one time.
"This is a significant step toward transforming the generation portfolio on Oahu to achieve our aggressive, low-cost clean energy goals we put forth to the PUC in August."
Hawaiian Electric said the PUC approved its request to consult with responding project developers outside of the lengthier competitive bidding process.
Image: The solar PV projects are being developed by SunEdison, First Wind, Eurus Energy America and FCHQC Development. Photo: Courtesy of graur codrin/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
