In the national discussion of states that are leading the way in energy efficiency, ACEEE reports year after year that California and Massachusetts are the U.S. leaders—but a state that has made significant strides in recent years is gaining recognition as a beacon for energy efficiency: the Aloha State.
Hawaii currently generates approximately 26% of its electricity from renewable sources and is looking to make that 100% by 2045.
With help from DOE’s State Energy Program, Hawaii completed a successful public benchmarking project. From 2012 to 2014, the state benchmarked 416 public facilities, including more than 2,600 buildings.
The benchmarking project found potential for all state agencies to save more than 56 million kilowatt hours annually, which is the equivalent to saving more than $25 million using current electricity rates.
In 2016, Hawaii was awarded the single largest energy savings performance contract (ESPC) in the United States to date, a $158 million contract to retrofit 12 of the state’s airports. The renovation is expected to result in 49% annual energy savings. The state’s airports division recently added a second phase to that project in March, bringing total guaranteed energy savings at Hawaii’s airports to more than $606 million over a 15-year period.
Also, Hawaii partnered in DOE’s Better Buildings ESPC Accelerator, which uses public-sector energy efficiency investments of more than $2 billion and left a legacy of valuable tools and resources behind.
See how your state and local community can learn and benefit from the ESPC Toolkit.
