Dive Brief:
- Kaua`i Island Utility Cooperative is aiming to reach 70% renewables by 2030 as part of a new long-term plan adopted this week by the utility's board of directors.
- The goal builds on previous renewable goals as KIUC previously targeted 50% renewables by 2023. But the co-op is ahead of schedule by five years, due in part from a Solar City-Tesla solar+storage installation expected to come online in the coming weeks.
- The new targets were set as part of the co-op's Strategic Plan 2008-2023, which stressed the need to continue addressing climate change and ultimately reach 100% renewable energy.
Dive Insight:
Kaua`i is moving quickly to raise the amount of renewable generation on the island, and its efforts are succeeding. As recently as 2011, more than 90% of the island's power came from fossil-fueled sources. But last January on four occasions, KIUC obtained 90% or more of its electricity from renewables.
KIUC’s President and CEO David Bissell said in a statement that the transition speed "is truly remarkable."
Other parts of the KIUC plan include continuing to address the strategic implications of climate change, obtaining long-term incidental federal and state permits that set requirements for conservation of endangered bird species, and continuing to invest in clean-energy technology.
Bissell said the more aggressive renewables targets come as the Solar City-Tesla project is expected online in the next weeks, raising the utility's generation to 44% renewables. The project will include a 52 MWh energy storage system produced by Tesla and a 13 MW solar array developed by SolarCity.
KIUC is also one of two Hawaiian utilities offering large rebates for a new Nissan Leaf, with the offer running through March. By combining incentives, co-op customers could cut the cost of a new electric vehicle by $17,500. Electrification of the transportation sector is a major step in Hawaii's emissions goals.