HONOLULU, HI — Hawaiʻi Gas, the state’s only franchised gas utility, underscored its commitment to the state’s climate goals by announcing that Nicolas Rodier will fill the new position of Executive Director of Clean Energy and Innovation.
As part of a growing team of sustainability-focused senior managers, Nicolas will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the company’s diverse initiatives that seek to reduce Hawaiʻi Gas’ carbon footprint as well as its dependence on fuel that must be shipped in. In recent years, the company has been seeking to increase its use of hydrogen and renewable natural gas from local sources. In 2023, it issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) that reflected its intention to blend a higher amount of renewable natural gas and hydrogen in its utility system, an initiative Nicolas will oversee.
“Nicolas brings a global perspective and deep renewable energy expertise to this important role. He is familiar with Hawaiʻi Gas, as we’ve worked together for several years on our clean energy and renewable projects, including our Waihonu solar farm project,” said Alicia Moy, president and CEO of Hawaiʻi Gas. “We appreciate that he not only has experience working with diverse renewable energy technologies but also is well-versed in the associated financing andcosts. As we accelerate our effort to transform our company for a sustainable green future, Nicolas’ ability to take into account both operational andfinancial considerations will be invaluable as we continue to provide safe andaffordable clean energy to our customers.”
“I’ve spent most of my career working on innovative renewable energy projects in many different regions. The deciding factor for me was being able to work with a forward-thinking and ambitious company like Hawaiʻi Gas,” said Nicolas. “I’m looking forward to working in Hawai`i where appreciation and respect for the environment is foundational to the culture.”
Nicolas joins Hawaiʻi Gas from SSE Renewables, a leading developer and operator of renewable energy across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Earlier roles include Climate Adaptive Infrastructure’s Director of Operations and, prior to that, Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation’s executive responsible for the management of its solar, wind and thermal power generation investments. Nicolas has a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.
About Hawai‘i Gas
Hawaiʻi Gas is the only government-franchised, full-service gas company manufacturing and distributing gas in Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi Gas manufactures synthetic natural gas(SNG), blended with renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen for its utility customers on Oʻahu, and distributes liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG (propane), to utility, tank and bottled gas customers throughout the state’s six primary islands. It produces RNG at the award-winning Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant on Oʻahu. For more information, visit hawaiigas.com.
