For decades Hawaii has “thought” about bringing geothermal power from the Big Island to the over one million people living on Oahu. This active volcano is a reminder of the rich natural resource and the strong possibility that Hawaii can truly eliminate the need to burn expensive, imported fossil fuels.
Hawaiian Electric needs to work with government, Native Hawaiians and other stakeholders to once and for all build the undersea cable system from the geothermal resources of the Big Island to Oahu and Maui. The technology exists, and the total cost over the life of the new generation and transmission assets is very attractive especially when pricing externalities like carbon, reliability and resiliency.
From the HEI website at https://lnkd.in/gwz4RJBq “At Hawaiian Electric, we are focused on achieving Hawaii's 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality goals in a way that is safe, reliable, resilient and affordable. We're shifting away from fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, keeping billions in our economy that would otherwise have been spent on imported fossil fuels and creating a modern, resilient grid for the benefit of all customers.”
Re-start the study. This latest eruption of Mauna Loa reminds us that the time has come. Mahalo.
Mike Beehler
Expert Member
Top Contributor