Pocatello, Idaho’s, polysilcon factory, run by Hoku Materials (which is a subsidiary of Hoku Corporation, which is 60% owned by China’s Tianwei New Energy Holdings Company Limited) continues to have trouble paying its electric bill.
Hoku has paid part of its November Idaho Power bill (still owes interest), but has failed to pay its December bill. As a result Hoku has turned, once again, to China for financial help. At least $1.9 million will be wired from the Bank of China.
Idaho Power says it’s tired of the games Hoku is playing, and will end power supply on January 26 if the balance isn’t paid in full.
You know, the utilities have no problem cutting off power to individuals who can’t pay their power bills, so why not when it comes to a corporation that owes millions of dollars?
This might be the final nail in the coffin for Hoku, which is years behind schedule and hasn’t even started polysilicon operations yet (although its Chinese owners jumped the gun and announced such production start up back in December).
CORPORATE INCOMPETENCE: IDAHO’S HOKU POLYSILICON FACTORY, LOOKS MORE AND MORE LIKE THE DEAL IS OFF!