HSWAC says the permit represents a major step toward bringing a renewable energy alternative to imported fossil fuels for cooling downtown Honolulu and also decreasing the island’s environmental footprint and the state’s oil dependency. 
 
“Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning has been working diligently for several years in preparation for bringing this clean and renewable technology to downtown Honolulu, where the air conditioning demand is high” said Anders Rydaker, Chief Operating Officer. “Hawaii is the nation’s largest per capita consumer of electricity and air conditioning is the most substantial component found on a building’s electricity bill. This technology will save millions of dollars for downtown Honolulu and its tenants. It will also provide a fantastic 75 percent reduction in electric consumption for air conditioning and have a major positive impact on the environment.” 
 
According to HSWAC, by using a local, natural resource – the ocean – Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning’s cooling system will ultimately reduce Hawaii’s dependency on oil and eliminate the need for 178,000 barrels of oil per year. Besides electricity, The system is also projected to reduce the use of refrigerants, potable water, sewage, and chemicals consumed in air conditioning.