On Thursday, the electric utility released a long awaited request for proposals seeking up to 50 megawatts of geothermal on the Big Island. 

From a HELCO press release:

The RFP, key filings and documents, and a project schedule can be found on the HELCO website at http://geothermalrfp.helcohi.com.

The Geothermal RFP is pursuing geothermal technologies that provide renewable dispatchable energy and firm capacity to allow the utility to schedule and control output from the geothermal plant. This will support HELCO’s integration of intermittent renewable resources, such as wind or solar, while maintaining reliable service for Hawaii Island customers.

Bidders are required to submit a Notice of Intent to bid on March 7, 2013. Bids are due on April 30, 2013. Hawaii Electric Light Company expects to make a selection 120 days after the bids are due.

More than 40 percent of electricity on Hawaii Island is already generated from renewable resources, including hydro, wind, distributed solar and geothermal.