Kaua‘i

Graphic map of Kaua‘i with icons indicating the locations of existing renewable energy installations, including a hydroelectric power plant on the island's southwest coast and a biomass generating facility on the south coast. An icon on the sunny southeast shore, or Poipu Beach area, of Kauai represents distributed solar generation. The island is shown in yellow. The icon on the southwest coast is a green circle with a black water drop symbol in the center representing hydroelectric power. The icon on the south coast is a green circle with a black leaf symbol in the center representing biomass energy.The icon on the southeast coast is a green circle with a black sun symbol in the center representing solar energy.

Map of Kaua‘i showing existing renewable energy generation, including hydroelectric, biomass, and distributed solar installations.

Kaua‘i is served by the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, which has about 128 megawatts of current capacity. Most of that capacity is oil based.

Kaua‘i has significant energy-efficiency potential in its residential and commercial buildings. An aggressive program to retrofit buildings and increase the efficiency of new buildings could result in significant energy savings for the island.

Kaua‘i also has potential local renewable resources greater than its current electrical use. If enough of that potential proves feasible and can be integrated into the island's grid in a reliable and cost-effective way, the island could supply much of its electricity needs with renewable energy.

In addition, electric vehicles could reduce ground transportation fuel needs for Kaua‘i, and sugar cane and other agricultural land could potentially provide feedstock for biofuel production.

Renewable Generation on Kaua‘i

As recently as the 1980s, nearly half of Kaua‘i's electrical generation came from renewable energy. The island's thriving sugarcane industry, now largely gone, produced large volumes of bagasse residue, which were combusted for power generation. Today Kaua‘i has 4 megawatts of biomass power and 9 megawatts of hydroelectric power.

Additional Renewable Resources

A 2005 assessment by the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative identified potential wind energy projects at six sites totaling 40 megawatts. It also identified potential for additional renewable capacity from

  • Biomass—20 megawatts
  • Hydroelectric—20 megawatts
  • Municipal solid waste combustion—7 megawatts.

Either of two suitable sites for solar thermal power generation—one on federal military land—would be large enough to meet the island's entire energy demand, through a number of economic, environmental, and technical grid integration questions would need to be addressed first.

Current renewable project proposals include 30 megawatts of solar power, 26 megawatts of biomass power, and 4 megawatts of hydroelectric power.

The Kaua‘i Energy Sustainability Plan is currently being developed for the county of Kaua‘i. The plan will consider community and stakeholder interests in providing recommendations that balance the island's need and ability to utilize locally produced energy from renewable sources. The plan will be released in January 2010 and will suggest goals and implementation guidelines that extend out to 2030. To find out more and get involved, please visit the Kaua‘i Energy Sustainability Plan Web site.

Department of Energy
State of Hawaii