Hawaii Deep Water Cable Program, phase II-C task 5 : submarine vs. overhead routing : a cost comparision for Molokai

Abstract

The Hawaii Deep Water Cable (HDWC) Program is determining the technical and economic feasibility of electrically interconnecting the islands of Hawaii, Maui and Oahu with a high voltage, direct current, submarine cable system. Confirmation of technical feasibility involves determination of the constraints imposed by the route, design of a system which satisfies feasibility criteria based on these environmental constraints as well as other operational design factors, and thorough laboratory and field testing. The question addressed in this report and described in greater detail below is whether or not an overhead segment across Molokai is truely less costly than a submarine cable bypassing the island if the costs of environmental impact mitigation and schedule delays due to land use controversies are factored in.