The Maui News

Hawaiian Electric will hold a community meeting April 13 on Maui to provide an update on the renewable energy transition and recent developments on the status of the island’s existing power generation resources.

The in-person meeting will be held in the Hawaiian Electric auditorium at 210 W. Kamehameha Ave. in Kahului from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and will also be broadcast live on Akaku channel 54, allowing viewers to submit questions during the presentation.

The topics will include Hawaiian Electric’s potential plans for new firm renewable generating units that can run on a variety of fuels, including biofuels. Firm generation refers to resources that are available whenever needed and can help fill the gap when variable resources like wind and solar aren’t available, the company said in a news release Tuesday.

The planning effort comes at a time when the global supply chain crisis continues to have long-term cascading effects on renewable energy projects in Hawaii, particularly Maui, Hawaiian Electric said. Of six solar and storage projects planned for Maui since 2019, only three remain and construction has started on only one, the 60-megawatt AES Kuihelani project. Projects have been canceled and delayed for various reasons, including supply chain issues as well as financial, legal and regulatory challenges.

This will be the first of meetings held by the company to brief residents on Maui’s energy situation. Any new renewable energy projects proposed on Maui require a plan for engagement, communication and financial benefits directed to address needs in the community, Hawaiian Electric said.