Kauai Island Utility Cooperative continues to lead state in renewable energy, officials report

For the fifth year in a row, Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative is leading the state in renewable generation at 57.9%.

During their annual membership meeting at the Kauaʻi Philippine Cultural Center on July 31, with nearly 100 people in attendance, the cooperative spotlighted its progress on its three strategic priorities over the last year.

One of those priorities was the reduction in the cost of electricity. From May 2022 through July 2024, KIUC has posted the lowest residential rates in the State of Hawaiʻi. Officials reported the cooperative stabilized rates over the past 10 years through a variety of strategies, including reducing staffing levels by approximately 12% since 2009.

Additionally, KIUC has led the state in renewable energy by using both utility-scale and rooftop solar, hydro and biomass. Last year, biodiesel provided by Pacific Biodiesel was added to its portfolio.

KIUC reports it will continue its focus on reducing its carbon footprint by pursuing additional solar+battery storage projects and reaching its goal of being 100% renewable by 2033.

Officials also talked about the cooperative’s resilience and reliability in relocating utility assets out of areas prone to the impacts of climate change, such as moving its east-side service center from Kapaʻa to Anahola in 2023.

KIUC continues to implement storm-hardening and wildfire-mitigation improvements such as replacing wood poles with fiberglass structures. The cooperative has also implemented both Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Outage Management System technology for analytics and improved real-time grid monitoring capabilities.

Efforts are also focused on enhanced cybersecurity and creating microgrids to service localized areas when large outages occur.

Other topics covered during the presentation were KIUC’s receipt of $25 million in federal funding, the reduction of bird strikes by an estimated 66% for seabirds and 90% for waterbirds in compliance with its draft Habitat Conservation plan, and Charitable Foundation grant awards.

Per tradition, members in attendance received a complimentary bowl of chili and a bag of rice. Over 700 pounds of rice were donated to the Hawaiʻi Food Bank Kauaʻi and Kauaʻi Independent Food Bank after the event.

A copy of the full PowerPoint presentation can be found here.

The 2023 Annual Report and the Strategic Plan Update can be read online.