Keaau facility to provide biodiesel for Hamakua Energy

HILO — The Pacific Biodiesel refinery in Keaau will begin providing fuel for the Hamakua Energy plant next week.

Thanks to a contract signed between Pacific Biodiesel Technologies and Pacific Current — the owners of the Hamakua Energy plant — locally sourced biodiesel will become a significant component of the island’s power grid.

Starting on Nov. 4, biodiesel — a fuel distilled primarily from waste cooking oils — from Pacific Biodiesel will be transported in biodiesel-fueled trucks to Hamakua Energy, which can produce 22% of the island’s total power-generating capacity.

“Being on Hawaii Island, it’s very exciting that we can use this locally made biodiesel to generate power here to serve customers on this island,” said Pacific Current President Scott Valentino. “That’s significant, especially as fuel and other supplies are shipped around the state and we always aim to reduce our environmental impact. We are focused on reducing the state of Hawaii’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and increasing local economic development opportunities.”

Pacific Biodiesel produces nearly 5.5 million gallons of biodiesel annually from waste oil largely sourced from restaurants statewide.

“We applaud Pacific Current for their decision to choose locally made biodiesel, another significant step as Hawaii works toward a 100% renewable future,” said Robert King, Pacific Biodiesel founder and president.