Rising utilities costs and a harsh facilities management report that criticized the University of Hawai'i-Manoa for lack of an energy management and conservation policy has prompted university officials to seek advice from energy experts.

UH-Manoa will convene an energy summit tomorrow, which will include experts from UH, the University of California, Hawaiian Electric Co. and the private sector. The university will also announce during the summit that it has partnered with HECO to monitor and reduce energy consumption on campus.

The summit was called to develop an energy management plan and to develop strategies to reduce UH-Manoa's growing utilities bill, both of which were criticized in an independent facilities management report by the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers.

UH is the second-largest consumer of electricity on O'ahu, after military services, UH officials said. The university's electricity bill is expected to rise to nearly $19 million this fiscal year.

University of California officials were invited because their efforts to conserve energy resulted in significant cost savings on UC campuses. Experts will share their solutions during the summit and help Hawai'i experts modify them to fit UH's needs.

The summit will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Keoni Auditorium in the Imin Conference Center at the East-West Center.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.