Hawaiian Electric launches major renewable energy and storage procurement

Hawaiian Electric has launched a major competitive request for proposals (RFP) to expand renewable energy, storage, and firm capacity on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. Following approval from the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission, the procurement seeks approximately 1,650 GWh of variable renewable energy, such as wind and solar, alongside 465 MW of grid-forming resources and 111 MW of firm generating capacity. These resources are intended for service between 2031 and 2034, with developers having until January 22, 2027, to submit proposals.

This large-scale procurement follows a period of steady growth in distributed energy resources. During the first half of 2026, Hawaiian Electric customers added 3,429 grid-connected rooftop solar systems, totaling 36 megawatts of capacity. This growth occurred despite the expiration of the federal clean energy tax credit at the start of the year. Oʻahu recorded the highest increase with 2,505 new systems, followed by Hawaiʻi Island and Maui County. Additionally, customers added 55 megawatts of battery storage during the same six-month period.