Green Energy Milestone: KIUC Powers Up with First Delivery of Homegrown Biodiesel

United States: Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative has recently received its initial shipment of Biodiesel that is produced locally. This comes after the company signed a fresh fuel supply agreement with Pacific Biodiesel Technologies last month. The agreement entails that Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, which owns and manages a Biodiesel refinery on Hawai‘i Island, will be providing Biodiesel to Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative. The Biodiesel will be used partially to fuel the 27.5-megawatt Kapaia Power Generation Station, which happens to be the largest generator for the utility cooperative and uses liquid-fuel-fired combined cycle power generation technology.

KIUC has signed a contract to experiment with Biodiesel storage and implementation at their power generating stations. This move will significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation. David Bissell, President, and CEO of KIUC, believes that Biodiesel could play a crucial role in helping KIUC meet its target of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2033, more than a decade ahead of Hawaii's mandated timeline. The contract with Pacific Biodiesel ensures a completely renewable fuel source while also promoting local Biodiesel production, which contributes to the energy security of the island state. Bissell is pleased with the decision to source renewable fuel from Pacific Biodiesel and is optimistic about the future of Biodiesel as a sustainable energy source.

The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative has announced its position as a top renewable power generator in the state, having achieved an impressive 60.2% renewable power generation rate for the year 2022. The cooperative's high renewable energy production contributed to recording the lowest electricity rates across all islands during the past 12 months. Solar energy made up most of the the cooperative's power generation at 39.8%, followed by hydro at 10.7% and biomass at 9.8%.

According to Pacific Biodiesel Founder and President Robert King, Kaua‘i sets a remarkable example for the world concerning the achievement of a 100% renewable future, particularly in terms of vulnerable island communities that are first in line to face the brunt of the climate crisis. Pacific Biodiesel, which was established on Maui in 1995, produces over 5.5 million gallons of premium distilled Biodiesel annually at its refinery on Hawai‘i Island. The company creates Biodiesel mainly from used cooking oil sourced from restaurants across the state, including those in Kaua‘i. In addition to this, Pacific Biodiesel's founders farm sunflowers and other crops to produce culinary oils, animal feed, and feedstock for Biodiesel production, leading to greater food security and energy security in Hawai‘i.

Earlier this year, the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative Team visited the Pacific Biodiesel refinery on Hawai‘i Island. Jenna Long, Pacific Biodiesel's Director of Operations, expressed her delight in showcasing their processing plant and the quality of Biodiesel that the cooperative will receive. With nearly 100 employees state-wide, Pacific Biodiesel's Kea‘au refinery alone employs over 50 workers. On the other hand, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative has 142 employees on Kaua‘i. Both companies are excited to collaborate as new partners.