LIHUE — Despite “challenges” to meeting the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative goal of being 100 percent renewable by 2033, there was little for the more than 100 people, or members, to be concerned about on Wednesday at the 23rd Annual Membership Meeting held at the Kauai Philippines Cultural Center.
Based on three “Strategic Goals,” including Cost of Electricity, Carbon Footprint, and Resilience and Reliability, KIUC produces 50.6 percent renewable energy, one of the state’s leaders in renewable energy, based on 2024 figures in the Carbon Footprint category.
The addition of two new projects — the AES Kaawanui Solar and Storage, and the AES Mana Solar and Storage — pending approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, would boost productivity to more than 80 percent renewable.
The current 50.6 percent is contributed to energy being produced by utility-scale and rooftop solar, hydro, biomass, and biodiesel.
At the time KIUC was born 23 years ago, Kauai residents paid the highest rate for electricity. Today, KIUC members enjoy the lowest rate paid for energy in the state. Since May 2022, KIUC has posted either the lowest or among the lowest residential rates in the state. In 2024, KIUC reported a net margin of $7 million, a 1 percent increase in sales, and a patronage capital retirement to members of $664,166.
In 2024, KIUC submitted a comprehensive Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission for approval. Shades of this plan were put into action on Thursday when the National Weather Service invoked a Red Flag Warning due to weather conditions and dry fuel presenting the risk of potentially devastating wildfires, prompting KIUC to issue a precautionary announcement.
KIUC also continues to progress toward a federal and state-approved Habitat Conservation Plan. During 2024, KIUC reported a reduction of bird strikes by an estimated 66 percent for seabirds in compliance with its draft HCP.
The HCP and its associated Environmental Impact Statement have been submitted for potential publication in August.
Starting as a cooperative in 2002, KIUC is the only electric cooperative in the State of Hawaii, and is one of 900 electric cooperatives in the nation. With more than 35,000 member accounts — 30,000 residents and 5,000 commercial — a nine-member Board of Directors governs KIUC. It has 140 employees.
The 2024 Annual Report was distributed to all who attended the meeting. Additional copies of “Powering Our Ohana” can be found on the KIUC website at www.kiuc.coop.
By tradition, all members in attendance received a complimentary bowl of chili and rice, and a bag of rice encased in a shopping bag. Because there was more rice than people attending, the remaining 650 pounds of rice was divided and delivered to the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai (just in time for its annual Food Drive Day on Saturday), and the Kauai Independent Food Bank in Nawiliwili.
Source: The Garden Island