Hawaiian Electric seeks to buy biofuel assets

The Hawaiian Electric Company (HEC) is seeking up to 42 million gallons of biofuel for the 650MW Kahe Generating Station over a period of two years.
The company is ready to commence as early as July 2014 and will consider biofuels made from any feedstock that provides a biocrude which meets requested specifications.
HEC’s solicitation comes as part of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative passed by the state in 2008.
This agreement between the legislature and energy companies stipulates that 40 per cent of Hawaii’s electricity needs and 70 per cent of the state’s overall energy needs must be provided by clean sources by 2030.
This is a very aggressive goal considering Hawaii presently relies on imported fossil fuels for over 90 per cent of its energy needs. Hawaii exports a staggering one-tenth of its gross state product on these imports annually.
HEC hopes to secure its biofuel bid in order to take a step towards changing these figures and meeting the Clean Energy Initiative.
The company stated, ‘At Hawaiian Electric, we’re committed to meeting the long-term energy needs of Hawaii’s people in a reliable, economical and environmentally sound way.’
Similarly, on the company website, HEC’s mission statement is a single sentence.
‘Our mission is to provide secure, clean energy for Hawaii,’ it says.
A finalised contract for the 42 million biofuel tender will be submitted to the Hawaii State Public Utilities Commission for review and approval