Barbour said OTEC International agreed to purchase new pumps and to give those pumps to NELHA, as well as to pay for the electricity to pump the deep sea water.
By ERIN MILLER
Stephens Media
A mainland company is a step away from securing a 30-year lease to test ocean thermal energy conversion in West Hawaii.
The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority board of directors last week authorized final lease negotiations with OTEC International LLC for a 2.5-acre demonstration plant.
“This looks very promising,” NELHA Executive Director Gregory Barbour said Monday. “It is a very significant development for us.”
Previously, the largest energy plant at NELHA generated up to 220 kilowatts of electricity, Barbour said. OTEC International proposed generating up to 1 megawatt. The company, based in Baltimore, will “demonstrate integration of components that use temperature difference between warm surface ocean water and cold deep water to produce electricity,” according to its announcement about the board’s decision.
OTEC International will ask for final approval at the March 20 meeting, Barbour said. Additional lease details will be available once the board finalizes the document, he added.
OTEC International Chief Operating Officer Eileen O’Rourke was traveling Monday and unavailable for additional comment.
The plant is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2014. OTEC International officials anticipate purchasing or using $10.4 million in local materials and services and creating 95 construction jobs.
Barbour said OTEC International agreed to purchase new pumps and to give those pumps to NELHA, as well as to pay for the electricity to pump the deep sea water.