In Hawaii, the current state of electricity consumption shows a strong reliance on fossil fuels, specifically oil, which accounts for more than half of the total electricity generation at 61.34%. On the clean energy front, a significant portion of the electricity, 31.74%, comes from low-carbon sources. Solar is the dominant form of clean electricity, with almost one quarter of the electricity coming from solar energy. This includes both solar behind-the-meter (BTM) installations at 14.55% and utility-scale solar at 8.18%. Wind energy contributes to 4.58% of the electricity generation, while net imports provide an additional 4.46%. Other minor contributors to Hawaii's clean electricity profile include geothermal at 2.21% and biofuels at 1.31%.

Is Electricity Growing in Hawaii?

On the question of whether electricity consumption is growing in Hawaii, the data reveals a slight increase. The island state saw a modest uplift in electricity usage, with the latest consumption figures at 8114 kWh per person, which is only 27 kWh higher than the previous year's record of 8086 kWh per person. This indicates that electricity consumption is experiencing some growth. However, the pace of growth in low-carbon electricity generation appears to have stagnated, as the latest figures of 2575 kWh per person have not increased compared to the previous year. While the overall consumption of electricity is on the rise, the lack of new developments or expansion in the low-carbon sector is concerning given the need for greener electricity solutions.

Suggestions

For Hawaii to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, it would be wise to focus on its existing strengths, particularly solar energy. The state can increase solar capacity further, both for consumer installations and utility-scale projects. Learning from other regions could offer valuable insights; for instance, states like Nevada harness solar energy for a substantial portion of their electricity. Additionally, considering nuclear power—despite it not currently being a part of Hawaii’s energy mix—can be highly beneficial, as seen in countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear accounts for a significant share of electricity generation. Considering wind energy is also strategic, with states like Iowa and South Dakota demonstrating that exceeding 50% wind power in their energy mix is not just feasible, but effective.

History

Looking at Hawaii's historical low-carbon electricity trends, the recent past has shown limited development. In 2024, there were minor adjustments with geothermal energy increasing by 0.1 TWh, while biofuels fell by the same amount. Wind and hydroelectric contributions remained unchanged. The following years, 2025 and 2026, showed stagnation across all low-carbon sources, with no changes recorded for wind, biofuels, geothermal, and hydro. This stagnation in the transition to clean energy highlights the urgent need for policies and investments to revitalize and grow Hawaii’s low-carbon electricity sector, ensuring that it can adequately replace fossil fuels and meet future energy demands.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.