As a historic step forward towards Hawai’i’s Renewable Energy future, Governor Josh Green has signed an executive order advancing the progress of renewable energy for the state today, January 28th, 2025.

In a press release released by the Governor’s office, the executive order lays out fresh objectives and instructions for Hawaiʻi. These include speeding up renewable development for neighboring island communities to reach a 100% renewable standards by 2035, a decade earlier than originally planned 2045. It also sets a statewide target of 50,000 distributed renewable energy installations, such as rooftop solar and battery systems, by 2030. The order also encourages state departments to make renewable developments easier and faster to permit, which will cut energy costs and project development times. Furthermore, the order requests the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission and Hawaiian Electric Company’s help to streamline energy permitting and prioritize reducing energy costs and ensuring energy stability for Hawaiʻi’s residents.

HSEA’s own Rocky Mould (Executive Director) added some commentary. “The goal of 50,000 distributed renewable energy installations before 2030 demonstrates the state of Hawaiʻi’s commitment to ensuring more affordable and resilient energy for Hawaiʻi’s people. We are excited to aggressively expand opportunities for rooftop solar and energy storage and unleash its power and promise for the clean/decarbonized grid of the future under Governor Green’s leadership.”

This EO will help with lowering energy costs in the near future, as Hawa’i’ already faces the highest national average for residential energy rates.

The official executed executive order can be read here.