LIHUE — More money in members’ pockets and stable rates down the road were some of the highlights of 2017 for Kauai Island Utility Cooperative during Wednesday night’s 16th annual members meeting at the Kauai Veterans Center.
The board of directors addressed about 150 members on their progress toward 100 percent power coming from renewable energy — and the expectation to pass the goal of reaching 70 percent by 2030, the strengthening of grid reliability, and the status of ongoing projects.
“Last year was a remarkable year in a large part because of Tesla (solar energy plant) opening,” said KIUC board Chair Allan Smith. “What we did with Tesla had never been done before.”
The solar energy plant opened in March 2017 with a 52MWh capacity, and that contributed to 42.6 percent of total energy generation coming from renewables in 2017, 83.9MW in total.
Hydroelectricity projects, the Green Energy Team biomass plant, and other solar projects added to the renewable energy total.
Member Annette Oda applauded the strides in renewable energy, but wondered about the amount of emphasis put on solar in the case of an emergency like a hurricane.
“I wonder, do you have a plan B in case of another Iniki?” she asked.
After Hurricane Iniki some members didn’t have power for months, said County Councilmember JoAnn Yukimura, who congratulated KIUC for returning power to members within days after the April floods.
David Bissell, KIUC president and CEO, referred to conventional power generators that KIUC has stored as just part of a resiliency and disaster response plan.
“(We’d be) good to go if every solar panel got blown away,” Bissell said.
Director Jan TenBruggencate responded to similar questions about KIUC putting their eggs in one basket with a reliance and focus on solar energy, saying KIUC recognizes the threat of being too reliant on one source of energy.
“We’re moving in a direction that distributes that threat,” he said, pointing out the efforts with biomass and hydro. “We’re creating diversity in the energy mix.”
Financially, the co-op was strong enough to return $3.2 million in 2017 patronage capital retirement checks to members, and some members are still receiving checks in the mail or credits to their bills.
“If you haven’t received your check or credit, you should be receiving it shortly,” said Peter Yukimura, board member and treasurer. “We’ve had a solid year financially.”
Oda and other members also asked about rate stability and long-term projections.
Director Dee Crowell said projections point to rates remaining steady through 2030, while Bissell pointed out the plan is to be prepared for when power-purchase agreements run out and when projects go off line.
“We’ll replace them, phase new ones in,” Bissell said.
While several members applauded the 2017 annual meeting as the best yet, some newcomers to the scene wondered how to gain more traction for KIUC in renewable energy generation.
“To be able to see the changes and all the renewable energy generation is amazing,” said Sara Fontanilla, from Waimea. “What can the next generation do? I’d like to help.”
Board members suggested personal choices like investing in electric vehicles and supporting politicians who support renewable energy as ways to make a difference.
“Reduce your own use and be a representative to those around you,” TenBruggencate said.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
In case of another Iniki, bring in a nuclear-powered submarine, just like last time!
Unless we bury all our power lines, having a source of electricity is only one small fraction of the battle. Getting all the poles and lines back up is the hard part.
What is the role of a capacitor? As in a filter capacitor or just caps. It helps to know some things around here.