Over the past year, from June 2024 to May 2025, Hawaii's electricity consumption has been characterized by a heavy reliance on fossil fuels. More than three-quarters of the electricity consumption, approximately 75% is met by oil, accentuating the island state's dependence on non-clean energy sources. Conversely, low-carbon electricity sources account for a smaller portion, making up about 21% of overall consumption. Within the low-carbon category, solar energy contributes almost 10%, while wind power generates around 7%. Biofuels and geothermal energy play a lesser role, each contributing roughly 3% to the overall mix. This composition highlights the significant room for growth in expanding low-carbon electricity to reduce Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuels.
Is Electricity Growing in Hawaii?
When evaluating electricity growth in Hawaii, there seems to be a downward trend over the years. The current per-person electricity consumption has decreased to 6418 kWh, a significant drop from the historical high of 8959 kWh per person recorded in 2004. This represents a reduction of nearly 3000 kWh per person. However, on a positive note, low-carbon electricity generation has seen a moderate increase, setting a new record with 1352 kWh per person, an improvement of 61 kWh or around 5% compared to the previous record in 2023. Although this upward movement in clean energy generation is encouraging, the overall reduction in total electricity consumption is concerning, considering the global need for increased electrification as a means to combat climate change and promote technological growth.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation in Hawaii, the state can look towards successful regions worldwide that have effectively increased their clean energy outputs. For instance, states like Iowa and South Dakota have harnessed wind power significantly, achieving more than half of their electricity generation from this source. Hawaii, with its ample sunshine, could also benefit from expanding solar energy, following the examples of Nevada and California, where solar electricity accounts for nearly a third of the mix. Although nuclear isn't presently a part of Hawaii's energy portfolio, other regions such as France and Slovakia demonstrate the incredible potential and stability that nuclear energy can offer. By exploring a combination of solar and potentially introducing nuclear options, Hawaii can diversify and strengthen its low-carbon electricity supply, moving towards a more sustainable energy future.
History
Hawaii's journey in developing low-carbon electricity has seen varied progress over time. In the mid-2000s, wind energy saw incremental growth with minor increases in 2006 and 2007. A few years later, geothermal energy faced challenges, experiencing a dip in 2009 and again in 2018. The 2010s seemed to witness a more consistent enhancement in wind and solar endeavors with occasional setbacks, such as in 2017 when wind and biofuels downgraded slightly, while solar showed modest growth. More recent years have shown a sustained increase in solar, with steady contributions each year from 2020 through 2025. This historical pattern indicates a budding yet sporadic commitment to low-carbon expansion. However, it suggests a promising potential to accelerate development especially for solar installations, supporting the drive for a greener energy framework in Hawaii.