Honua Ola Bioenergy is committed to addressing community concerns. When false claims are made that misrepresent the project, we cannot allow them to go unchecked. Read on to learn more about misconceptions regarding the pricing of Honua Ola Bioenergy and other renewable energy projects.
Newsletter: False Claims vs. Facts: Pricing
Know the Facts!
FACT: Honua Ola was approved twice before by the PUC, with a price of 22 cents/kwh in 2017, because it provides reliable, firm renewable energy continuously, 24/7, and aligns with the state mandate for 100% renewable energy by 2045. In comparison, solar projects cannot provide continuous reliable energy by itself and must be supported by more expensive energy from fossil fuel plants to provide continuous 24/7 power, which in combination makes the total cost more than that of Honua Ola.
FACT: Solar + 4-hour battery storage can supply energy at its maximum rate for up to 4 hours at 8-9 cents/kwh on an optimum day. Energy supplied for the other 16 hours of the day must come from other power sources, primarily fossil fuel plants, whose energy costs around 30 cents/kwh. In addition, when it’s rainy or cloudy for a day or longer, solar produces much less energy but still charges consumers as if energy is being produced for a full four hours. On a day when solar can only supply half the average amount – two hours of dispatchable power – the cost doubles for consumers to 16-18 cents/kwh. Honua Ola costs less to supply power for the full day because it doesn’t need batteries. In addition, Honua Ola can replace the fossil fuel plants, which reduces greenhouse gases and air pollution affecting Hawaii Island’s environment.
FACT: To date, there have been no requests for bids from Hawaiian
Electric for any renewable energy projects. In the interest of getting firm renewable energy on the Hawaii Island grid as quickly as possible, the PUC granted Honua Ola a waiver twice previously and, in 2017, ordered Honua Ola to complete the plant’s construction. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Hawaii stated a waiver from competitive bidding is in effect for Honua Ola when the case was remanded back to the PUC.