HECO planning to be 100% renewable by 2040

Hawaiian Electric Co. expects there will be 165,000 private solar systems operating by 2030 across HECO’s territories, up from 79,000 now, the utility said today.

HECO submitted the fourth version of its plans on how it will get the state to 100 percent renewable energy dependence today. The steps include adding utility-scale solar, customer sited-batteries and rooftop solar, wind and biofuels.

HECO said it expects 42 percent of homes in its territories to have rooftop solar by 2030.

By 2020 HECO said renewables would make up 48 percent of the power mix — more than 15 percent of that coming from customer-sited renewables.

HECO said, in the next five years, it plans to add 360 megawatts of utility scale solar, 157 megawatts of utility scale wind and 115 megawatts from demand response programs, which encourage customers to use electricity when more renewable energy is on the grid.

HECO said Molokai would reach 100 percent by 2020.

That year, the Big Island is expected to hit 80 percent renewable, Maui 63 percent, Lanai 59 percent. Oahu would reach 40 percent by 2020.

HECO’s portfolio will be 72 percent renewable by the end of 2030, according to the plan. The law calls for 40 percent in 2030.

HECO said it will achieve 100 percent five years prior to the 2045 deadline.

The electricity utility said it plans to get to 100 percent by the end of 2040, when the law requires 70 percent.