Hawaiian Electric highlights climate change action, renewable energy progress in 2021-22 Sustainability Report
News Release from HECO, April 12, 2022
HONOLULU, April 12, 2022 - Despite the ongoing pandemic and supply chain issues, Hawaiian Electric continues to address climate change, reducing carbon emissions in 2021.
The company’s progress is marked in its 2021-22 Corporate Sustainability Report, “Taking Action on Climate Change Together,” now available online. Hawaiian Electric was able to:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22% last year compared to 2005 baseline levels (based on preliminary data)
- Surpass 1 gigawatt of solar capacity across the company’s five island grids
- Hit a consolidated renewable portfolio standard of 38% in 2021, meaning 38% of the company's electricity sales came from renewable resources
- Install 61,500-plus advanced meters, about 13% of customers, in less than a year
- Log 3,555 volunteer hours among 1,556 volunteers
Hawaiian Electric's 15th annual sustainability report, highlights the company's plan to reduce GHG emissions 70% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels; efforts to keep customers connected during year two of the COVID-19 pandemic; initiatives to hasten electrification of transportation; and programs to increase rooftop solar adoption and make renewable energy more equitable and accessible for customers.
“Faced with challenges stemming from the pandemic and global supply chain issues, we were still able to lower GHG emissions and add more renewable energy to our island grids,” said Shelee Kimura, Hawaiian Electric president and CEO. “We'll continue to reduce our dependence on imported oil each year so that we’re able to stabilize energy costs for our customers.”
The report features the company’s Climate Change Action Plan, which outlines the steps being taken to reduce GHG emissions across the five islands Hawaiian Electric serves. Those steps include the retirement of the AES coal plant at the end of September, adding another 50,000 rooftop solar systems to about 93,000 already online and promoting energy efficiency.
Also included in the report are examples of how the company has partnered with communities to build a more sustainable Hawaii. The report's power generation maps showcase more than 30 grid-scale renewable energy facilities and nearly two dozen renewable projects expected to come online over the next few years.
For more information and company data, go to hei.com/esg. HEI, Hawaiian Electric’s parent company, has published its 2022 environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles and sustainability report.
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