Oahu Renewable Dispatchable Firm Generation RFP

Hawaiian Electric Company issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for renewable dispatchable firm generation resources on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. This procurement initiative sought to develop additional renewable generation capacity through a competitive bidding process. The RFP was designed as a streamlined solicitation to review and evaluate opportunities for developing new renewable generation facilities, which could include allowing existing facilities to repower or fuel switch to renewable energy sources.

The RFP process encompassed multiple stages including RFP development, bid submission, bid evaluation, and project selection. Hawaiian Electric filed a draft RFP with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on February 28, 2022, with formal filing date of March 1, 2022. The company held a virtual community meeting on February 28, 2022, to discuss the draft RFP with stakeholders. The draft RFP included proposed timeline documentation, competitive bidding code of conduct requirements, and a draft model firm Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) template for potential bidders.

Stakeholder comments on the draft RFP were initially requested by April 4, 2022, though the company continued accepting comments via email at oahurenewablerfp@hawaiianelectric.com. A Technical Status Conference was anticipated but the specific date was subject to PUC scheduling and approval. On August 11, 2022, Hawaiian Electric announced that the Oahu firm renewable generation procurement target would be captured under the Stage 3 Oahu RFP, effectively concluding the separate development of this Oahu Renewable Firm RFP.