Hawaiian Electric (HEI), the Honolulu-based utility is entering into a deal with six solar energy farms in Oahu totaling 207 megawatts.
The project will be developed by SunEdison, First Wind, Eurus Energy America and Forest City.
This is the largest ever agreement signed by the utility for renewable energy productions at one go, according to Hawaiian Electric authorities.
The project forms a part of the Hawaiian Electric’s energy plan to triple the amount of distributed solar in the region.
The country has kept a goal of achieving 65 percent of renewable energy by 2030.
NextEra Energy, based in Florida is acquiring Hawaiian Electric in a $4.3 billion deal, which is expected to be completed in a year.
NextEra will enter into a PPA deal for the six projects on behalf of the the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.
Earlier this year, regulators told HEI that it must “aggressively pursue energy cost reductions, proactively respond to emerging renewable energy integration challenges, improve the interconnection process for customer-sited solar photovoltaic systems, and embrace customer demand response programs,” when the utility tried for a large -scale renewable energy transaction.
Hawaii presents an unusual energy picture, with 75 percent of the fuel oil which is imported has led to energy prices to be the highest in the country in 2013.
However, the utility-scale solar has grown six fold in the same year and the state is said to be the only one in which solar plus storage is cost-competitive.
The projects include Ohio-based Forest City’s 20-MW Hoohana Solar project in the Kunia area, Massachusetts-based First Wind’s three solar farms, such as 49-MW Kawailoa Solar in Waialua, 15 MW Lanikuhana Solar in Mililani in Central Oahu and 46 MW Waiawa PV in Waipio.
California-based Eurus Energy America’s 28-MW Waianae Solar, Missouri-based SunEdison’s 50-MW Waiawa Solar and the Ka Uka Interchange in Central Oahu are also included in the project.
Sabeena Wahid
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