Our nine-month layover in Hawaii has been something of a happy accident. Yes, it’s one of the most beautiful islands in the world but if you look past the sandy beaches, you will find a state focused on using its natural competitive advantages to ensure its long-term sustainable development.
Sound familiar? It should. Like Hawaii, the UAE is blessed with a wealth of sunshine most of the year, so it’s no surprise the country’s leadership is putting resources behind solar energy, and hopes to generate 24 per cent of its power from clean energy by 2021.
Hawaii has almost reached that number but it’s still looking to achieve more. It generates 21 per cent of its electricity from energy sources such as wind, hydro, solar and geothermal – double its renewable energy usage rate from five years ago.
Hawaii’s commitment to harnessing renewable energy was made clear last year when it passed its clean energy initiative, becoming the first US state to set a goal of producing 100 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2045.
According to the US Energy Information Agency, Hawaii imported 91 per cent of the energy it consumed in 2013, and had the highest electricity prices of all 50 US states in 2014.
Bold and aggressive, the new standard will help to maximise Hawaii’s infinite natural resources, enabling it to become energy independent and potentially eliminate traditional uses for transport, following through on president Barack Obama’s climate action plan.
Daring initiatives always face challenges, but Hawaii’s actions help to pave the way for other states and countries to follow suit with similar initiatives.
Leaders from more than 130 countries will today participate in a high-level signing ceremony at the United Nations in New York city to celebrate last December’s Paris Agreement on climate.
That momentous occasion coincides with Solar Impulse 2 returning to the skies, looking to finish what it started in Abu Dhabi last year.
The team has spent long hours over the past few weeks conducting training flights, practising flight patterns and reacquainting themselves with the aircraft.
The team is re-entering mission mode and looking at the first favourable weather window to take off. This time around, our journey will be more adventurous. Indeed, with weather patterns being unpredictable, we decided to keep our options open and let the wind guide us.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Hasan Al Redaini, 25, works for group communications at Mubadala and is travelling with the Solar Impulse 2 team. Follow him on Twitter at @hasanrtw.