LIHUE — Kauai Island Utility Cooperative says it had a dynamic 2017 with big strides being made in renewable and sustainable energy.
And community members can hear details about the energy co-op’s strides toward renewable energy and sustainability at the KIUC annual meeting, set for Wednesday, July 25 at the Kauai Veterans Center.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and the meeting starts at 6 for the 16th annual KIUC meeting of the members.
Presentation of the 2017 annual report will be done by the KIUC Board of Directors, with President David Bissell and other staff on hand for a question and answer session.
Door prizes and public testimony are also on tap.
2017 brought Tesla’s 50-acre Solar Farm to Kauai, shrinking the island’s fossil-fuel dependence, and that was just one of several steps KIUC took in 2017 to increase renewable energy production.
Traction was gained on the Waiahai hydroelectric permit, which allows KIUC to operate two hydro facilities contributing 1.5 megawatts of energy and progress continues on the Puu Opae project, which combines photovoltaic and pumped storage hydro technology and will add to the renewable energy tally.
As of 2017, more than 40 percent of electricity generated on Kauai comes from a mix of renewable resources, up 5 percent from 2009.
Organizations like the Smart Electric Power alliance hailed KIUC for their progress, saying the cooperative added more energy storage watts per customer during 2017 than any other utility in the nation.
Roughly 200 people attended KIUC’s 2016 annual meeting, which touched on renewable progress and the pathway to their renewable goals, reliability of service for members, and membership perks — like KIUC’s SmartHub service and Energy Wise programs.
Rates will also be discussed on Wednesday, as well as the 2017 KIUC financial report.
Info: 246-4300 or vwww.kiuc.coop.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or at jelse@thegardenisland.com.
