renewable energy

Unalaska is still pursuing the Makushin Geothermal Project, even after a rocky four years to try to get the project off the ground. Today, the Ounalashka Corp. board of directors plans to meet to discuss ways to move forward, which could include dissolving its partnership with Chena Power, essentially buying them out.

Unalaska was the closest it had ever been to achieving its decades-long goal of developing geothermal energy from Makushin Volcano just a few miles from town. But difficulties meeting investment deadlines have led to the end of the Makushin Geothermal Project.

The City of Unalaska is pulling out of the Makushin Geothermal Project, after the city council on Tuesday rejected the new terms requested by the company building the project.

The City of Unalaska’s administration is advising city council not to renew the Makushin Geothermal Project power purchase agreement, according to a memo released Friday, which would effectively end the city’s four-year participation with the project.

Unalaska is closer than ever to building a geothermal power plant on Makushin Volcano, but the project is facing investment challenges and the city is weighing its options.

The company aiming to bring geothermal energy to Unalaska plans to pay more than $90 million to an engineering and construction firm to build the volcano-powered project, under a contract announced Jan. 18.Ounalashka Corporation/Chena Power, LLC, the company behind the project, is a joint venture between Unalaska’s Native corporation and Fairbanks-based Chena Power. And while OCCP Project Manager Dave Matthews said they plan to start construction of the plant this coming summer, the company still hasn’t announced that it’s secured any funding.

The Unalaska Department of Public Utilities is upgrading electrical equipment that’s caused some of the island’s recent power outages.The new, more robust transformers will be able to better handle the harsh Aleutian weather, according to acting public utilities director Steve Tompkins. They’re also equipped for possible upgrades to the island’s energy grid, such as renewable energy from nearby Makushin Volcano.

The City of Unalaska isn't rushing into a geothermal energy agreement with OC/Chena Power.While the private company had asked local officials to sign a…

A private company looking to develop geothermal energy at Makushin Volcano wants the City of Unalaska to commit to a 30-year power deal by the end of the…

After decades of false starts, geothermal power may be coming to Unalaska.The Ounalashka Corporation and Fairbanks-based Chena Power, LLC have formed a…