Electric Co-op Today

Hawaii’s only rural electric cooperative is laying the groundwork to pursue development of the next generation of hydroelectric power resources. But it is also making sure that it has solid support for any future projects from those who depend on the water that will drive any turbines deployed.

Kauai Electric Cooperative is drawing power from several small hydroelectric power facilities along scenic waterways. (Photo By: KIUC)

“We will only move forward with projects that make good sense economically, technically, environmentally and culturally,” said David Bissell, CEO of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative.

The Lihue-based co-op currently draws nearly seven megawatts of power from eight small hydroelectric facilities, two of which it owns. Six preliminary permit applications have been filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for new co-op-owned projects, representing nearly 28 megawatts of additional hydroelectric capacity.

The co-op has contracted Boston-based Free Flow Power, Inc. to explore development of six new hydroelectric sites and upgrades to existing facilities, some of which have provided hydroelectric power to islanders for generations.

FERC has granted four of the preliminary permits and two others are pending. Approval authorizes the co-op and the company to explore each project for three years, said Bissell.

Hawaii’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard mandates that utilities meet 40 percent of their demand from renewable sources by 2030. Kauai has set a target of surpassing that goal by 2023.

“With new, small hydro power projects on Kauai, we can get closer to our goal of generating 50 percent of our energy from renewable resources,” said Bissell.

The co-op’s commitment to building support for its hydropower initiatives has included an informative online renewable energy portal, operated separately from its regular website. Co-op directors and key staffers have also participated in public forums and talked about the projects in local media interviews.

Those efforts paid off July 8, when more than 7,500 of KUIC’s consumer-members voted on the board’s decision to explore small hydropower development. When the results were tabulated and certified, 72 percent of the members who cast their ballots supported the measure.

“Hundreds of community members… came out to our public meetings and actively participated in KIUC’s outreach process,” said KIUC Chairman Teofilo “Phil” Tacbian. “We look forward to continuing to reach out to the entire Kauai community as we explore hydropower for our island.”

Tags: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Hydroelectric Power, Renewable Energy