Geothermal power, already a proven source of firm renewable power, can potentially play an even larger role in Hawaii’s clean energy future. Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) seeks to expand geothermal energy on Hawaii Island. Prospective bidders and interested parties are encouraged to participate.
Please review this page periodically for any updated information on the HELCO Request for Proposals for 50 MW of Dispatchable Renewable Geothermal Firm Capacity Generation on the Island of Hawaii (Geothermal RFP). Please see the Key Filings and Documents section, below, for links to important documents. Also, please see the Updated Geothermal RFP Schedule section, below.
Update as of April 25, 2013:
1. REMINDER TO BIDDERS: GEOTHERMAL BIDS ARE DUE ON TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013.Instructions to Bidders are included in the Final Geothermal RFP (Bidders are solely responsible for following Instructions to Bidders).
2. Bid Clarification:
Question: "Regarding Section 4.10 of the RFP: We would like to clarify whether we may combine two site locations into one bid if we submit two bid fees. Is this allowable?”
Response: "A Bidder may not combine two site locations into a single Bid, even if two Bid Fees are submitted. Pursuant to Section 4.10C. of the Geothermal RFP, Bids for projects that are situated at different Sites constitute separate Bids.”
3. New Contact Information for the Independent Observer:
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Please note that the Independent Observer contact information has been updated, below.
Bidders To Submit Signed Confidentiality Agreement (Updated as of April 1, 2013)
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All Bidders must submit a signed Confidentiality Agreement in the form provided in Appendix F of the Final Geothermal RFP (see Section 4.12 of the Final Geothermal RFP).
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Please submit the signed Confidentiality Agreement to the HELCO Energy Contract Manager as indicated in the Final Geothermal RFP. Upon HELCO’s signature it will be considered fully executed.
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The Bidder is encouraged to submit the signed Confidentiality Agreement as soon as possible and before the Bid due date.
Bidder’s Response Package in Word Format and a Reminder (Updated as of March 15, 2013)
HELCO Provides Link to Selected Technical/Data Reports (see new section, below)
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Reminder to Bidders:
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A Notice of Intent is not a prerequisite for submitting a Bid (see Section 4.5 of the Final Geothermal RFP). The Notice of Intent and its due date are requested and are not required.
HELCO ISSUED FINAL GEOTHERMAL RFP (Update as of February 28, 2013)
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The Final Geothermal Request for Proposals was issued on February 28, 2013
HELCO will be updating this site to reflect schedule or updates to the Geothermal RFP. All communication and correspondence regarding the Geothermal RFP must be submitted in writing to GeothermalRFP@helcohi.com. This assures fair and equal dissemination of information to all interested parties and potential bidders.
BACKGROUND
After completing the Geothermal Request for Information (RFI) process in 2011, HELCO submitted a letter to the PUC requesting to open the Geothermal RFP docket on March 16, 2012.
Competitive bidding steps are now underway as prescribed in the PUC Order dated May 1, 2012. HELCO is seeking up to 50 MW of firm, dispatchable, renewable geothermal power on the Island of Hawaii.
On November 9, 2012, HELCO filed the Draft Geothermal RFP with the Commission.
On December 4, 2012, the Commission engaged the services of Boston Pacific Company to serve as the Independent Observer for the HELCO Geothermal RFP. The IO’s role is to monitor and advise on all steps of the competitive bidding process to ensure that the process is fair and adheres to the Commission Framework for Competitive Bidding and the Commission approved Codes of Conduct.
Contact information for the Independent Observer:
Sam Choi
Project Director
Boston Pacific Company, Inc.
1100 New York Ave., NW, Suite 490 East
Washington DC 20005
202-296-5520 ext. 231 schoi@bostonpacific.com
On December 5, 2012 HELCO held the Geothermal RFP Technical Conference Webinar, with remarks by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Chair Morita, HELCO President Jay Ignacio, and a presentation covering key Geothermal RFP requirements by the HELCO Geothermal RFP Team to a broad audience of interested parties and potential Bidders. The presentation utilized during the Technical Conference Webinar may be accessed in the Key Filings and Documents list, below.
On December 19, 2012 questions and comments from interested parties and prospective Bidders on the Draft Geothermal RFP were due.
On January 25, 2013 HELCO filed the Proposed Final Geothermal RFP, and the Independent Observer filed its Memorandum of Comments on the Proposed Final Geothermal RFP.
On February 12, 2013 HELCO filed the Proposed Final Geothermal RFP – 25 JAN 2013 Rev. 1 and the Independent Observer filed its Supplemental Memorandum of Comments on the Proposed Final Geothermal RFP – 25 JAN 2013 Rev. 1.
On February 25, 2013 the Commission filed Order No. 31015, Order Approving Issuance of Revised Draft Final Request for Proposal, in Docket No. 2013-0092 and provided guidance for the issuance of the Geothermal RFP.
On February 28, 2013 HELCO filed the Final Geothermal RFP with the Commission, which incorporated revisions in response to the Commission’s recommendations in Order 31015.
SELECTED TECHNICAL DATA/REPORTS (link added March 15, 2013):
Selected technical data/reports on past geothermal activities may be accessed here.
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Reports may be downloaded from the site.
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Bidders may also browse the Geothermal Collection from University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) ScholarSpace.
Please note the information found at the links above are provided for convenience and/or information purposes only. HELCO assumes no responsibility and makes no warranty, representation or guaranty as to the content, accuracy or sufficiency of any of the information provided therein.
UPDATED GEOTHERMAL RFP SCHEDULE (AS OF MARCH 15, 2013):
Completed:
HELCO filed the Letter requesting to open Docket for Geothermal RFP
March 16, 2012
PUC issued Order No. 30360 Opening Docket No. 2012-0092
May 1, 2012
PUC issued Order No. 30511 Requesting Identification of Independent Observer Candidates
June 29, 2012
HELCO filed its Submission of Qualified Candidates to serve as Independent Observer in the Geothermal Firm RFP in Docket No.2012- 0092
July 12, 2012
HELCO filed its Draft Geothermal RFP
November 9, 2012
Technical Conference Webinar on Geothermal RFP with Interested Parties
December 5, 2012
Interested Parties File Comments on the Draft Geothermal RFP and Appendices
December 19, 2012 deadline
HELCO Files Proposed Final Geothermal RFP and Appendices with the Commission
January 25, 2013
Independent Observer Submits Comments and Recommendations on Proposed Final Geothermal RFP and Appendices
January 25, 2013
HELCO Filed Proposed Final Geothermal RFP – 25 JAN 2013 Rev. 1 with the Commission
February 12, 2013
Independent Observer Submitted Supplemental Comments and Recommendations on Proposed Final Geothermal RFP – 25 JAN 2013 Rev. 1 with the Commission
February 12, 2013
Commission Review and Approval of the Final Geothermal RFP and Appendices
February 25, 2013
HELCO issued Final Geothermal RFP (Posted to the Geothermal RFP Website)
February 28, 2013
Due Date for Bidder Notice of Intent to Bid
March 7, 2013
Future Schedule:
Due Date for Bids
April 30, 2013
HELCO Completes High Level Evaluation and Selection of Final Award Group
August/September 2013
(120 Days after Due Date for Bids)
HELCO Completes Interconnection Requirements Study and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Negotiations
March/April 2014
(210 Days after Final Award Group Selected)
Submit Executed PPA(s) for Commission Approval
April/May 2014
(30 Days after Completion of Geothermal PPA Negotiations)
