Hawaiian Electric seeks PUC approval for final energy plan

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2009 file photo, cattle stand near the Pakini Nui Wind Farm on the Big Island's south point in Hawaii. Through her Clean Energy Initiative, Republican Gov. Linda Lingle laid the groundwork for Hawaii to use more clean energy helping cut the dependence of fossil fuel. Hawaii could become example for how to bring more clean energy to electric grid. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File)
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Hawaiian Electric has submitted its final draft of its overarching plan charting how it will transition to clean energy.

The “Integrated Grid Plan: A pathway to a clean energy future” outlines steps the company will take to reach net-zero carbon emissions and 100% renewable resource goals by 2045.

Hawaiian Electric on Friday submitted the final version to the PUC, and seeks regulatory approval of the plan.

Hawaiian Electric says since planning efforts began in 2018.

Hawaiian Electric said its modeling shows that although energy rates might rise during the near-term transition to clean energy, they will be lower and less volatile than relying on fossil fuels.

The plan outlines five “near-term actions” such as expanding customer choices with new programs that make private rooftop solar, shared solar and energy storage programs more affordable;

Stabilizing utility rates by adding large-scale renewable energy projects and storage; ensuring reliability with renewable generation that is not weather-dependent; and reducing costs for customers by pursuing federal funding.