Currently, Hawaii greatly relies on fossil fuel-based electricity, with these sources making up around three-quarters, specifically 75%, of its electricity consumption. Oil is the predominant fossil fuel, encompassed within this share. On the other hand, low-carbon energy sources, which include solar, wind, biofuels, and geothermal, contribute just over 21% to Hawaii's electricity mix. Solar energy alone provides over 9% while wind adds approximately 6.5%. Biofuels and geothermal contribute smaller shares, at close to 3% and a little over 2%, respectively. While the effort to integrate clean energy is evident, the state still has much ground to cover to lessen its dependency on fossil fuels and broaden its sustainable energy portfolio from June 2024 to May 2025.
Is Electricity Growing in Hawaii?
Despite the noticeable dominance of fossil fuels, there's an encouraging trend towards more low-carbon electricity usage in Hawaii. In 2025, electricity consumption was noted at 6418 kWh per person, which indicates a considerable decrease from the 2004 record of 8959 kWh per person. This reduction in total electricity consumption could be viewed as concerning regarding overall energy needs but promising if energy efficiency has improved. Meanwhile, Hawaii set a new record in low-carbon electricity generation of 1352 kWh per person in 2025, surpassing the previous high of 1291 kWh in 2023. This progress, although small, highlights a growing commitment to clean energy sources, but with more work required to meet future electricity demand sustainably.
Suggestions
To further expand its low-carbon electricity generation, Hawaii can look towards other regions that have successfully harnessed clean energy technologies, most notably in wind and solar. For instance, Iowa and South Dakota's achievements in generating over 60% of their electricity from wind demonstrate the potential of wind energy, offering a valuable lesson for Hawaii with its favorable wind conditions. Furthermore, France's success with nuclear power, accounting for nearly 70% of its electricity generation, underscores the profound potential of nuclear energy to offer clean, reliable power. For Hawaii, embracing both solar and nuclear energy could ensure a robust and sustainable electricity future, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating their negative climate impacts.
History
Hawaii's journey in low-carbon electricity generation has seen modest growth over the years with particular emphasis on solar and wind. In the early 2000s, wind energy saw gradual but consistent growth, experiencing significant increments around 2006 to 2014. However, there were minor setbacks in 2017 and 2019. Solar energy has shown notable progress from 2017 onwards, with incremental growth each year through 2025, providing a beacon of hope for sustainable energy. Geothermal energy faced some decline in 2009 and 2018 but showed resilience with positive development in 2021. Overall, while progress is evident, these incremental changes highlight the need for a more aggressive transition to clean electricity sources to secure Hawaii's energy future.