UH System reaches 20% of net-zero energy goal

In 2025, the University of Hawaiʻi System has achieved 20.49% of its goal to become net-zero, according to a recent report submitted to the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. The target is for all 10 UH campuses to produce as much renewable energy as they consume by January 1, 2035.

The report details the UH System’s progress toward the initial production target of 198 million kilowatt-hours (kWh). For the reporting period of July 2024–June 2025, UH successfully generated 40,577,541 kWh of renewable energy. This figure is expected to rise as several recently constructed solar systems were not yet energized during this performance period.

“Reaching this 20% milestone is a testament to our ingenuity in the face of a mandate that requires us to hit net-zero by 2035 (a full decade ahead of the rest of the state) without additional resources,” said UH Vice President for Administration Jan Gouveia. “Because this aggressive goal came without financial support, we have had to be creative, securing our own funding through long-term strategic partnerships. Most importantly, we have turned these practical challenges into opportunities for our students, utilizing the pursuit of net-zero as a living laboratory to train the next generation of leaders in environmental innovation.”

Future plans for energy independence

To maximize its energy independence, the UH System has outlined several key plans. These include refining its strategic energy plan to better balance renewable generation with improved energy efficiency measures.

“Reaching over 20% of our net-zero goal is a critical milestone that reflects years of strategic planning and dedicated effort across all 10 campuses,” said Miles Topping, UH director of sustainability. “This progress shows our deep commitment to a sustainable future for Hawaiʻi and demonstrates the tangible impact of our investments in renewable energy and efficiency. Our focus now is accelerating the deployment of new PV projects and energy storage to maintain this momentum and hit our 2035 target.”

Future efforts will focus on maximizing the development of photovoltaic (PV) and other renewable energy sources, and expanding energy storage capacity to increase overall grid resiliency. UH will continue to upgrade lighting, HVAC and lab equipment. New construction and major renovations are required to aim for at least LEED Gold certification and strive for net-zero designs, ensuring UH’s infrastructure supports its long-term sustainability mission.