Solar group fights for 29.5-MWp solar PPA in Hawaii

Dec 29, 2014 - A group of renewable energy companies is seeking further consideration for a 29.5-MWp solar project disqualified from a power purchase agreements (PPA) tender with local utility Hawaiian Electric Co.

Honolulu law firm McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon LLP, which represents solar companies PSP III, Investricity Ltd and West Wind Works LLC, last week filed a petition with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) calling for a review of Hawaii Electric’s decision. It states that the utility's actions were "erroneous and improper".

The 29.5-MWp Oahu Renewable Energy Park was proposed to be constructed on state land in West Oahu. The project developers now say they will be able to build a photovoltaic (PV) park with a total capacity of 40 MWp, to be operational by end-2016.

According to Hawaii Electric, the proposal has been excluded from its tender process as it did not have site control, among other reasons. The project developers argue that they had site control as well as an agreement with the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Earlier in December, Hawaii Electric sought PUC's approval of 207 MW of PPAs for utility-scale solar projects. Turning to solar electricity was in line with the utility’s plan to lower electric bills, launch more service options and nearly triple the amount of distributed solar power.

Hawaii Electric aims to source 65% of its total power from renewables by 2030.

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