Hawaiian Electric Industries Takes on Energy Challenge

Last night, Constance Lau, President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) addressed the Women’s Council on Energy & Environment at our annual dinner in Washington DC.

HEI is one of the few utilities that also owns a bank and the organization is actively seeking and funding clean technologies, particularly biofuels. Hawaii is working towards returning to its energy self-sustaining past, when the state produced all its energy needs from biofuels, primarily sugar cane. Currently, Hawaii has the distinction of being the largest state importer of oil.

HEI offers an interesting proposition worth emulating – utilities having a structured financing arm, i.e., bank, that is focused on advancing renewable technologies.  It is also important to note the role of women as HEI moves ahead. According to Ms. Lau, approximately one-third of HEI management is women, including the head of the biofuel financing unit.

We will post Ms. Lau’s video comments when available.