02-04-2008, 01:36 PM
I certainly don't claim to know much about the electricity situation on the Big Island. I do know that electric rates can be significantly impacted in areas of high growth. I am wondering how much the recent growth has contributed to the electric rates in Puna. Generating power plants are extremely capital intensive and the pay back is generally 30-40 years or more. Baseload generation that is on 24 hours is generally less expensive than the peaking units that have to fired up in a hurry and run for short periods of time just to meet demand. I see that on their web site, HELCO lists their peaking time from 5 pm to 9 pm. Understandable, since everyone is probably getting home from work and using various appliances during that time. Does HELCO offer an off peak rate? Maybe...just maybe... if enough people were to shift their use of dishwashers, clothes dryers, etc. off peak, HELCO could delay bringing expensive peaking units online. Theoretically, it seems to me this should help future electric rates as well as be better for our environment. I wonder what resource planning HELCO is doing to meet the future growth projections?
I dunno...just thinking out loud.
Marcia
I dunno...just thinking out loud.
Marcia