Hawaii Receives Last-Ever Coal Shipment As It Moves On To Renewables

It’s finally happened. Hawaii has officially received its final coal shipment this week, with the island’s last remaining coal-fired power plant scheduled to shut down in September. 

The final coal package—comprising 15,000 tons of coal—was headed for the AES Hawaii power plant, the largest source of the region’s electricity, providing 13% of its overall power in 2018. 

“This week Hawaii is receiving its final shipment of coal. This is a huge step forward in Hawaii’s transition to clean energy. In its time, coal was an important resource for Hawaii and I’d like to thank the workers who have run our remaining coal plant,” wrote Governor David Ige. 

“Renewable energy projects to replace coal are coming online with more on the way. Even as we face challenges in making this transition, it’s the right move for our communities and planet. More importantly, it will leave Hawaii a better place for our children and grandchildren,” he added. 

According to Gizmodo, Hawaii was one of the first states in the nation to turn to renewables, having pledged in 2014 that it would be fully powered by green energy by 2045. Then, in 2020, the Senate Bill 2629 banned the use of coal for power on its islands. 

The state is now looking to more renewable energy alternatives to help fulfill its energy needs, including doubling solar installations between 2015 and 2020, which managed to provide over half the power in both Hawaii and Maui counties last year. 

[via Gizmodo and Governor David Ige, cover image via Sorin Colac | Dreamstime.com]