While still heavily dependent on imported oil for its energy generation, Maui County has made significant progress in helping the State of Hawai‘i achieve its ambitious goal of 100% clean energy by 2045, and is a national leader in renewable energy grid penetration.

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Advancements in clean energy capacity have contributed to the growth of renewable energy’s share for all energy needs in the county, rising from 3.7% in 2002 to 9.7% in 2019. In 2021, Hawaiian Electric Company estimated that 50% of total energy generation needs in Maui Nui were derived from renewable energy sources, predominantly commercial wind and customer-sited solar (primarily rooftop PV systems), and to a lesser extent, grid-scale solar and biomass generation. 

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For residents and other energy consumers, the high cost of energy provides an incentive to conserve power and adopt newer forms of energy generation. Both the County of Maui and the State of Hawai‘i are helping to support and advance new renewable energy projects in the islands. 

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Maui Nui’s natural resources offer significant potential for reducing or ending the county’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and transition to more sustainable sources. These include trade winds, reliable sunshine, strong ocean currents, ever-present waves, and geothermal potential.