It ’s the end of a muddy era in Hawaii . The state ’s last - ever ember loading arrived in Oahu on Wednesday , bound for the last remaining coal - fired king works , which is due to shut down in September .
The new arrived15,000 tons of coalare for the AES Hawaii might plant life , the expectant power plant on Oahu and the large source of the island ’s electricity . The 180 - megawatt plant life provided13 % of the state ’s overall big businessman in 2018 .
“ This week Hawai‘i is receive its terminal cargo of ember , ” Governor David Ige say in astatement . “ This is a huge footstep forward in Hawaiʻi ’s passage to clean energy . In its time , ember was an important resource for Hawaii and I ’d care to give thanks the prole who have run our last remaining coal plant .
The shipment arrives in Oahu.Photo:Office of Gov. David Ige
“ Renewable energy project to replace ember are coming online with more on the way , ” the regulator continued . “ Even as we face challenges in making this changeover , it ’s the right move for our community and planet . Most importantly , it will leave Hawaiʻi a better place for our minor and grandchild . ”
Hawaii has been pursuing an belligerent geological fault toward renewable energy . In 2014 , the statepledgedto get to 100 % renewable energy by 2045 , thefirst stateto make a last zero assurance — while also making attempts to phase out dodo fuel andoverhaul its utility program structure . In 2020 , Senate Bill 2629 in Hawaii banned the use of ember for power on the islands . The owner of AES Hawaii had alreadyannounced the industrial plant ’s retirementbefore the ember banning was pass , but mate with other coal bans in states likeOregonandIllinois , the pledge broadcast a strong message about the state ’s intentions .
Despite its abundant rude resources and potential difference for renewable energy projection , Hawaii ’s energy mix has traditionally swear heavily on ember and oil ; it uses more petroleum for electricity than any other state . In2015,more than 67 % of its electricity generation came from oil , while more than 15 % came from coal . These fossil fuels are all import from out of state , help oneself to make Hawaii ’s electrical energy costs the high-pitched in the country and nearlythree timesthe national average .
Renewable vim has made significant inroad in late years . agree to the EIA , solar installations virtually doubled from 2015 to 2020 , thanks in big part to an increment in rooftop board . In 2021 , according to a report from utility Hawaiian Electric , renewables providedmore than one-half of all powerfor both Hawaii and Maui counties , the second- and third - most thickly settled county in the commonwealth .
But the state ’s modulation , including the closure of the AES plant in September , is not without some swelling . The plant ’s owner , the AES Corporation , tell that some of the renewable projects it had mean to habituate to interchange the coal plant have not yet come online due to a variety of issues , including supply chain problem . The company said that it would be burning oil in the interim .
“ We still have a few breaking ball in the route to negotiate because the short - term challenge here is that as we close this ember plant in September , we do n’t have as many renewable task come online immediately , ” Sandra Larsen , the Market Business Leader for AES in Hawaii , toldHawaii Public Radio . “ And so the reality is that occupant here on Oʻahu are break down to see high price in the short term . ”
The battle that Oahu may have replacing power from the retiring plant could bode standardized challenges in the rest of the res publica as it shifts to renewables .
“ We ’ve got a arduous race to run because we ’re taking six standalone grids , in the middle of the ocean , to a 100 % renewable energy for electrical energy — and we ’re start from a in high spirits fossil fuel starting degree , ” Scott Glenn , the head of the Hawaii State Energy Office , secernate UtilityDivethis calendar month .
EnergyEnergy developmentEnergy policySustainable energy
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