Hawaii Energy Facts
What renewable energy resources do HECO, HELCO and MECO use to generate electricity in Hawaii? Our fuel mix includes a variety of renewable resources. Geothermal, biomass, wind, and hydro provide most of Hawaii's renewable power. Other sources include solar and ocean energy. Learn more about HECO, HELCO and MECO's sources of renewable energy. Why is reliable electricity more important for island utilities? Unlike on the continental U.S., electric utilities in Hawaii are isolated island utilities, which are not interconnected to each other or to any other state. That means electricity generated by HECO, HELCO, and MECO must be extra reliable. HECO, HELCO, and MECO cannot depend on buying power from neighboring utilities if there's a problem. What are some of the challenges to using more renewable energy in Hawaii? It's a natural question. As citizens of Hawaii, we live in a state blessed with sunny skies and breezy tradewinds. Getting our electric power from renewable sources seems like an obvious choice. But it's not always that simple. Some of the challenges are: How much of Hawaii's imported oil is used to make electricity? In 2003, about 31% of the State's imported oil was used to make electricity. About 61% was used for transportation (jet fuel, cars and ships). That means reducing oil use for transportation is just as important, if not more, for reducing Hawaii's consumption of oil.  
NOTES: 1) LPG is liquified petroleum gas, typically propane and butane. 2) Naphtha is a light distillate, which is used as a solvent and as fuel. Overview of Oil Usage in Hawaii (PDF) (Download Adobe Acrobat Reader.) What are some emerging technologies that will help Hawaii rely less on centralized oil-fired power plants to produce electricity?
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