Cleaner Fuel Supplies Sought for MECO

MECO electric car, photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The parent company of Maui Electric has announced the launch of a search for suppliers of cleaner fuels.

Hawaiian Electric Industries is seeking suppliers of ultra-low sulfur diesel, biodiesel or biodiesel blends, in the hopes of obtaining up to 150,000 barrels per year for supplies at MECO and HELCO generation facilities, the company said.

The supplies are intended for up to a three year contract beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, the announcement said.

In a press release issued today, HEI said, “This request for proposals offers biodiesel suppliers — including local biodiesel producers — the opportunity to offer biodiesel or biodiesel blends for all or part of the required volumes on Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi or Hawaiʻi Island.”

HEI spokespeople say the use of renewable biofuels is part of the company’s efforts to reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Final contracts will be submitted for review to the Hawaiʻi State Public Utilities Commission.

The deadline to submit proposals is October 15, 2013.  Prospective bidders can obtain additional information here.