Hawaiian Electric, Inc. Geothermal/Inter-Island Transmission Project request for proposal

Abstract

Hawaiian Electric Company, the electric utility that serves the island of Oahu and the city of Honolulu, is interested in purchasing up to 500 megawatts of electricity generated from geothermal resources on the island of Hawaii and transmitted by a combination of overland transmission and submarine cable to Oahu. Hawaiian Electric Company wishes to decrease its dependence on imported oil and strengthen the state's economy. The presence of recoverable geothermal energy on the island of Hawaii has been known for some time. The conversion of geothermal energy to electricity is now a proven, accepted technology. The federal and state research efforts on the Hawaii Deep Water Cable project have resulted in confidence that a submarine cable can be designed, fabricated and installed to transmit electricity from the island of Hawaii to Oahu. Hawaiian Electric Company has a need for power by 1995. The availability of the geothermal conversion and cable technologies and Hawaiian Electric's power requirements have led to this solicitation for power purchase. This Project is strongly supported by Hawaiian Electric Company and the state government. Hawaiian Electric Company's support for the Project is evidenced by the letter from its President. The Governor of the State of Hawaii has also expressed his interest and support. Letters from these individuals are attached following this Summary.