Alaska Energy Authority opens prequalification for Cook Inlet power cable builders

The Alaska Energy Authority opened prequalification Thursday for companies that could build and install an undersea power cable between Beluga and Nikiski, part of the Cook Inlet Power Link. Responses are due by 2 pm Alaska time Dec. 15.

The prequalification and request for information screens companies and collects nonbinding price estimates before any bidding begins. The authority says it is not an invitation to bid or a commitment to proceed. Companies that complete the qualifications section and score at least 24 of 40 points, with no category below 4, can join a later competitive procurement. AEA says it may instead negotiate directly.

The agency's project page says the cable would eliminate the single point of failure between Kenai and Anchorage. It "would give us redundancy on the Cook Inlet that we do not have," AEA Executive Director Curtis Thayer told a joint hearing of state lawmakers Aug. 20.

The base bid calls for a 100-megawatt cable, with a second pole as an option to reach 200 megawatts. Without that option, the cable must still allow later expansion to 200 megawatts. The solicitation puts the route at about 40 miles; the project page says 38. The cable would cross GCI's Kodiak Kenai Fiber Link, Alaska Communications' Alaska-Oregon Network and Hilcorp's Tyonek W10 pipeline, and would run west of a proposed liquefied natural gas line. Federal Build America, Buy America rules apply.

Under the authority's schedule, environmental review and permitting would wrap up in early 2029. If enough qualified companies respond, competitive procurement would start around June 2027, with a contract awarded by year's end. Manufacturing would finish by the end of 2029, installation would run through 2030 and 2031, and the cable would enter service in December 2031. The federal grant requires the project be fully completed by Aug. 31, 2032, according to the solicitation.

The project's estimated cost is $413 million. A federal grant covers $206.5 million, $62.5 million has been secured and $142.5 million is still needed. The authority says it continues to pursue additional funding to complement federal support before construction can proceed.

The authority will hold a pre-response conference Nov. 4 at its Anchorage office and online. Written questions are due by 2 pm Nov. 25.