KIUC to Issue Hawaiʻi’s First Solicitation for Community-Based Renewable Energy Projects

KIUC to Issue Hawaiʻi’s First Solicitation for Community-Based Renewable Energy Projects

Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) is preparing to issue a request for Community-Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) projects. A project solicitation is tentatively scheduled to be issued in July. KIUC will be seeking up to 3-MW of renewable energy under the program.

“KIUC is pleased to be the first utility in the state to have received approval from the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission allowing for the implementation of a Community-Based Renewable Energy Program,” said David Bissell, KIUC President and CEO. “If successful, this program will provide another option for our members to obtain renewable energy without having to locate solar panels on their property.”

The purpose of the program is to provide KIUC’s customers with the opportunity to participate in a CBRE project that will:
· Allow an eligible customer to participate in an eligible renewable energy project that is providing electricity and electric grid services to KIUC;

· Allow KIUC to implement a billing arrangement to compensate those customers for the electricity and electric grid services provided to KIUC;

· Provide fair compensation for electricity, electric grid services and other benefits provided to or by KIUC, participating ratepayers, and non-participating ratepayers; and

· To the extent possible, standardize and streamline the related interconnection processes for CBRE projects.

The CBRE program attempts to expand the market to include residential and business renters, who currently are unable to participate in renewable energy generation because of their location, building type, access to the electric grid, or other impediments. The solicitation document to be issued in July will contain further information for potential developers.

Information about the tariff can be found at www.kiuc.coop under KIUC’s Tariff No. 1, Schedule “CBRE.”