Nearly one year ago today, state regulators threw a major wrench into the Big Wind project and required the 200 megawatts of wind energy planned for Molokai be put out for competitive bidding. 

HECO was initially scheduled to have the final RFP drafted by February, but now says it could be sometime toward the end of this year. 

The delay could add up to 10 months to the original schedule, if there are no more postponements. But there are a lot more steps before the final companies will be chosen to develop the project. 

The Public Utilities Commission still has to approve the RFP, companies have to bid, HECO has to perform technical studies, review the bids and make a final decision. Then the contracts have to be approved by the PUC. 

Given the current delays, contracts — that still face PUC approval — might not be executed until the end of 2014. And this appears to be a best case scenario. HECO and the PUC are known for their extensions on deadlines, so there could be more ripple effects throughout the required chain of events. 

All told, the PUC’s decision last year has so far added more than three years to the project. 

You can view the ever changing schedule here. 

(Photo credit: HECO)