Pacific Biodiesel delivers its locally produced renewable fuel to KIUC.
KIUC and Pacific Biodiesel partner to help Kauaʻi achieve its renewable energy goals
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s efforts to reach 100% renewable electricity production, supported by locally produced 100% renewable fuel supplied by Pacific Biodiesel, were recently featured on KITV4, reported by Kaua‘i’s own Lei Uʻi Kaholokula.
“Ultimately my Board’s goal is to reach 100% renewable by 2033, well ahead of the state’s goal of 100% renewable by 2045,” said KIUC President and Chief Executive Officer David Bissell. “We are going to need to use biofuels and Pacific Biodiesel being locally sourced is a great potential to provide the last 5% or 10% of our energy.”
Pacific Biodiesel expanded its regenerative farming operation to Kaua’i in 2024. Its sunflower crops are harvested and the seeds are mechanically crushed into sunflower oil at the company’s new mill in Kaumakani. The oils, along with used cooking oil recycled from restaurants statewide, are local feedstock for the company’s production of biodiesel at its Hawaiʻi Island refinery.
James Twigg-Smith, Pacific Biodiesel Director of Agriculture Operations noted, “Biodiesel is a drop in fuel. It’s a firm renewable that’s able to support the renewable energy production here locally. Whereas the sun may not always be shining or the wind blowing, we have the ability to produce power in those moments with renewable fuel.”
Watch this news coverage to learn more about KIUC’s plans to reach their renewable energy goals.
