Hawaiʻi’s 100% Renewable Dream: Why Volcanic Power May Be The Missing Piece

While most states are still arguing about whether climate change is real, Hawaiʻi just hit 36% renewable energy across its major islands. That’s a three percentage point jump from last year, putting them ahead of their 2030 target of 40%. Not bad for a bunch of volcanic rocks in the middle of the Pacific.

Hawaiʻi Island is crushing it at 59% renewable. Why? Geothermal. Turns out sitting on active volcanoes has its perks. While Oʻahu struggles with its fossil fuel addiction, the Big Island taps into Earth’s molten core like it’s no big deal. Puna Geothermal Ventures even increased production after recovering from the Kilauea eruption.

Active volcanoes power Big Island’s grid while Oʻahu burns fossil fuels like it’s 1999.

Maui County jumped 16% year-over-year, mostly thanks to wind farms that actually work when the sun goes down. Transformational concept.

Solar is having its moment though. Generation tripled since 2015, now powering 214,000 homes. The islands have 114,000 rooftop systems and 238 megawatts of utility-scale solar. AES just fired up a new facility in West Oʻahu with 12.5 MW and a 50 MWh battery. Four more solar-plus-storage projects are coming online next year. Because nothing says “tropical paradise” like massive battery farms.

Here’s the thing about renewable energy: sometimes the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow. That’s where geothermal becomes the hero nobody talks about. It’s baseload power that runs 24/7, rain or shine. No batteries required. No praying for good weather. Just consistent, volcanic-powered electricity. Studies show geothermal energy delivers an impressive 96% capacity factor for nearly uninterrupted power generation.

The renewable mix includes biomass, hydro, and biofuels too. Nice supporting cast, but they’re not leading roles. The real drama is in the infrastructure. Grid stability remains a nightmare when your main power source disappears at sunset. Battery storage helps, sure, but it’s expensive and limited.

Hawaiʻi wants 100% renewable by 2045. They’re making progress, but let’s be real: without expanding geothermal beyond the Big Island, they’re basically hoping battery technology saves the day.

Meanwhile, they’re sitting on volcanic goldmines across the chain. Maybe it’s time to stop treating geothermal like the weird cousin at the renewable energy family reunion and start drilling. The volcanoes aren’t going anywhere.