LNG will keep the lights on for Oʻahu
Hawaiʻi’s Pathway to Net Zero
Renewable energy is essential to a net zero future for Hawaiʻi. The mandated target of 100% renewable energy by 2045 was a first for any U.S. state and established Hawaiʻi as a leader with a bold vision for decarbonization.
Wind, solar, and batteries will play a growing role in that vision, but Oʻahu still requires firming generation – reliable, large scale power supply that can be called on whenever needed. The Alternative Fuel, Repowering, and Energy Transition Study, published by the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office makes it clear these firm sources of power will be required until at least 2045 to maintain reliability while progressing on clean energy goals.
Firming generation provides reliable power for homes, businesses, hospitals, and critical services that require power around the clock. It is especially important for Oʻahu, which runs on an isolated grid and cannot access electricity produced on other islands. When demand rises unexpectedly, or when renewable generation falls due to changing weather conditions, the grid must be able to call on reliable energy sources or risk outages.
Renewables Are Essential, but They Can’t Do It Alone
Batteries can store some renewable energy available outside of generating periods, but they can only hold about 4 to 8 hours’ worth of electricity, meaning they cannot cover seasonal gaps or other situations where solar or wind production is depleted for weeks or even days.
This is why firming generation is so critical for Oʻahu’s power system. It fills the void when solar and wind are not available to meet demand from households and businesses.
Currently, Oʻahu’s firming generation comes from oil-fired power plants, which provide nearly 70% of the island’s electricity. A switch to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas-fired power – as proposed by JERA – would make Oʻahu’s firming generation more reliable, less expensive and lower emitting.
Reliable Power Is the Foundation of Oʻahu’s Energy Transition
Forced power outages have ranged from 11% to 16% over the past five years, which is about twice as high as the average US forced power outages rate. Aging, unreliable oil-fired infrastructure is a major factor. The Kahe and Waiau plants have an average age of 58 years, well over the average age of the US fleet: 31 years. Old infrastructure increases maintenance costs and frequency, leaving Oʻahu vulnerable to frequent outages.
Gas-fired power is well-suited to provide firming generation to support the orderly rollout and expansion of renewables on Oʻahu. Compared with existing oil-fired steam units, modern gas-fired plants provide significantly greater ramping capability and operational flexibility, enabling them to respond quickly to renewable variability while supporting overall grid reliability.
The modern gas-fired plant that JERA is proposing for O’ahu is also expected to reduce power sector emissions by about 40%.
Importantly, the plant can be converted to run on future, low-carbon fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.
Gas and Renewables in Action Around the World
Many island communities face similar challenges to Oʻahu: limited land and isolated grids. Several have improved reliability and reduced emissions by integrating gas and LNG generation with renewables.
Malta, an island nation in the Mediterranean with a similar population as Oʻahu, switched from oil-fired power generation to LNG in 2017. Since switching to gas, solar generation has almost doubled, now representing 13% of the island’s total power generation.
It’s worth noting that other Hawaiʻi islands – notably Kauaʻi – have greater flexibility for renewables expansion. Kauaʻi has less land constraints and hydropower availability that has helped it generate more than 50% of its power from renewable sources.
In Summary
JERA’s LNG-to-power proposal would replace aging oil-fired generation with modern, flexible power infrastructure designed to support renewable energy and improve reliability, for Hawaiʻi’s residents and businesses.
A reliable energy transition requires both renewable energy and dependable backup power. LNG provides reliability while supporting more wind and solar projects on Oʻahu.
Related Myths & Facts
LNG is a safe fuel for Hawaiʻi
