As we work toward the state's goal of a future fueled mostly by renewable energy, it's useful to take note of our progress so far.

One promising development: nine proposals for renewable energy projects now under consideration by Hawaiian Electric Co. One or a combination of them could result in 100 megawatts of power generated from renewable sources for O'ahu.

The proposals include plans for power generated from biomass, ocean, solar and wind.

It's important that HECO move swiftly and efficiently to review and implement the best of the proposals because there's a long way to go: A hundred megawatts won't be enough for HECO and its subsidiaries to reach their legally mandated goal of 20 percent by renewables by 2020.

Nonetheless, it's a good sign of progress; the number of proposals suggests that renewable-energy businesses have confidence in the future of the industry here.

It's also a sign of momentum. Even with the recent fluctuations, the price of oil remains high enough to encourage a healthy advancement of renewable energy projects statewide.

HECO itself is progressing with its 110-megawatt biofueled power plan in Campbell Industrial Park, expected to go online next year.

Other projects proposed or in development include wind farms in Kahuku, Moloka'i and Lana'i and ocean thermal energy conversion off Kahe Point. Whether these large projects will fulfill their promise remains a question.

But smaller, more easily implemented projects, particularly solar energy installations on homes and businesses, will also contribute.

The state Public Utilities Commission faces a major challenge in managing the transition of the state's electricity grids from fossil fuels to a more complex array of renewable alternatives, some of which are less stable energy generators than oil.

The key will be an aggressive, forward-thinking use of the PUC's regulatory authority to keep the biggest suppliers, HECO and its sister utilities on the Big Island and Maui, moving steadily ahead on renewables, through incentives, penalties or both.

Clearly there's progress on the renewable energy front. Continuing that momentum will be key to our energy future.