Hydroelectric systems for utilities, homes, farms, and power producers

Harness the power of water

About Us

Over 40 years of experience generating clean, green energy

Hydroelectricity provides 70% of the electricity the US generates from sustainable sources and is growing fast—helping to stabilize our climate, reduce harmful pollutants and create new jobs. Hydropower is clean, green energy. It consumes no natural resources, produces no emissions, and creates zero waste. Compared to all other energy sources, hydropower is the least expensive, most efficient method for generating electricity.

Designing and developing hydroelectric systems throughout the Hawaiian Islands since 1978, Pacific Hydro has designed, developed and provided equipment for more hydropower projects in Hawai‘i than any other company.

Our Services

Whether you need to begin from scratch or improve an existing system, we have the expertise.

Site Assessment

Preliminary site assessment and engineering reports with estimated design flow and potential power output.

Feasibility Study

Preliminary engineering reports includes budget, power output and energy management estimates.

Design

Includes firm price quotation for the turbine, generator, controls and intake works. 

Permitting

All county, state and federal permits, with minimal environmental impact. 

Equipment

Efficient designs and premium quality components for homeowner power plants to rigidly specified utility systems.

Construction Management

Overall planning, coordination, inspection and quality control for all phases of construction.

Maintenance

Turbine rebuilds, runner replacements, control upgrades, pipeline and intake re-designs.

Existing Water System Integration

Due to Hawaii’s steep terrain there are pipelines, tunnels and ditches throughout the islands that have high hydro potential.

We offer the full range of services to develop your hydropower system from start to finish.

The Full Range of Scale and Scope

A Few of Our Projects

This 125 KW utility parallel plant in Koloa generated a 5-year payback on investment—and supplies enough power for 75 homes in the Kauai South Shore area while meeting the electrical needs of the on-site Hawaiian Mahogany mill. Hawaiian Mahogany runs a silviculture operation combining high-value lumber trees with nitrogen fixing species that create a self-fertilizing system. Electricity from this on-site hydro along with on-site bio fuel sources, makes this company a model for sustainable agriculture in Hawai‘i.

Clients on this strategically located utility repair and upgrade project were the State of Hawaii and the US Navy. For years this 1 MW vertical shaft pelton plant struggled to produce half its rated output due to a combination of mechanical and electrical problems. We rebuilt the runner and the nozzles, re-wound the generator, and replaced and upgraded the controls. The plant peaked at 1.25 MW during commissioning.

A horticultural and aquaculture operation in Papaiko, Ho’owaiwai’s multi-use hydro system is unique. We’ve built many “off the grid “systems as well as utility parallel plants but this 90 KW generator can be operated both as a stand alone power supply as well as a grid connected revenue source. This flexible design automatically protects the operation from any interruption in power during a prolonged utility outage.

Looking to build a high-functioning hydropower system today?