Hawaiian Electric Co. has scheduled a series of meetings around the state starting today to gather public comment as it considers the best mix of energy resources and efficiency measures to meet demand for the electricity it produces.

The effort represents the latest chapter of HECO’s integrated resources planning process first established by the state Public Utilities Commission in 1992. The utility will be evaluating an "array of solutions" in the planning process, including combining conservation and energy efficiency, renewable resources, distributed generation and more efficient central power plants.

HECO launched the latest effort in March and expects to have a finished plan by next summer.

"We recognize the great interest many people have in our energy future, so we are hosting these meetings to listen to comments and obtain further input," said Colton Ching, HECO’s vice president for system operation and planning.